If you or a loved one was hurt working at sea or on an offshore rig, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are clear, honest answers to the ones we hear most. If you do not see your question, you can always request a free case review and we will help.
About Offshore Injury Help
Are you a law firm?
No. Offshore Injury Help is not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice or representation. We are an independent resource that provides clear, accurate information about maritime injury law and, when appropriate, connects injured workers and their families with experienced maritime attorneys who handle these specific kinds of cases. Any attorney-client relationship would be formed directly between you and the law firm you choose, not with us.
What exactly do you do?
We do two things. First, we publish thoroughly researched, plain-language guides about the laws that protect injured maritime workers, the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and more. Second, through our free case review, we listen to what happened and, where it makes sense, connect you with a qualified maritime attorney who can evaluate your specific situation. There is no cost and no obligation to you.
Does it cost anything to use your service?
No. Using our information and requesting a free case review is completely free, with no cost and no obligation. We are not asking you to pay us anything.
Have a question we have not answered?
Tell us what happened. A free case review is the fastest way to understand your options, at no cost and no obligation.
Do I Have a Case?
How do I know if I have a maritime injury case?
The honest answer is that it depends on the specific facts: what kind of work you did, where you were working, how you were hurt, and who was responsible. Maritime law is complex, and the right legal category (Jones Act seaman, longshore worker, platform worker, and so on) is often disputed. That is exactly why a free case review with a maritime attorney is valuable: it costs you nothing and is the most reliable way to find out whether you have a claim. You do not need to figure it out alone before reaching out.
I was partly at fault for my accident. Do I still have a case?
Possibly, yes. Maritime law generally uses comparative negligence, which means an injured worker’s compensation is reduced by their share of fault rather than eliminated. Even a worker who was partly responsible may still recover. Do not assume you have no case just because you think the accident was partly your fault, or because someone told you it was.
My employer says it was an accident and no one is to blame. Does that matter?
Not necessarily. Employers and their insurers have an interest in limiting what they pay, and what they tell you is not legal advice. Under the Jones Act, an employer can be liable if its negligence played any part, even a slight one, in the injury. And benefits like maintenance and cure are generally owed regardless of fault. It is worth having your situation reviewed independently.
Costs and Attorney Fees
How much does a maritime injury lawyer cost?
Maritime injury attorneys almost always work on a contingency fee, meaning they are paid a percentage of the recovery only if the case succeeds. If there is no recovery, you generally owe no attorney fee. According to the American Bar Association, contingency fees commonly run from about one-third to 40 percent of the recovery (Source: ABA, via onmyside.com). Maritime cases are highly specialized, so the fee is often toward the higher end of that range. The exact percentage and terms are set in the agreement between you and the law firm you choose.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
With a contingency fee arrangement, you generally pay nothing up front for the attorney’s work. Many maritime firms also advance the case expenses (such as expert witnesses, investigators, and records) and recover them from the settlement only if the case succeeds. Be sure to ask any attorney to explain, in writing, how fees and case expenses work, since expenses are technically separate from the attorney’s fee.
What is the difference between attorney fees and case expenses?
The attorney’s fee is the percentage the lawyer charges for their work. Case expenses are the out-of-pocket costs of building the case, things like hiring experts, obtaining records, and investigation. In a typical contingency arrangement these expenses are advanced by the firm and then deducted from the recovery. Always ask for a clear written explanation of both before signing anything.
Worried about cost? Do not be.
A case review is free, and maritime attorneys typically work on contingency, you generally pay a fee only if you recover.
Coverage and Types of Cases
What kinds of injuries and workers do you cover?
We focus on offshore and maritime injuries across the industry, including offshore oil and gas workers, Jones Act seamen, commercial fishermen, longshore and harbor workers, tugboat and supply vessel crews, offshore wind workers, and cruise ship crew members. We also help the families of workers killed at sea or offshore understand their options under wrongful death laws like the Death on the High Seas Act.
Do you only help with cases in a certain state?
Maritime law is largely federal, which means it applies across the United States rather than being limited to one state. We help injured workers and families connect with attorneys experienced in maritime claims regardless of which state they are based in, including the Gulf Coast, where much offshore oil and gas work is concentrated, as well as other coastal regions.
What if my family member was killed in an offshore accident?
We are very sorry for your loss. Families of workers killed at sea or offshore may have claims under laws such as the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, which can provide compensation to surviving family members. These are difficult cases at an unimaginably hard time, and a maritime attorney can explain your family’s rights with care. A free case review is a gentle first step.
What Happens Next
What happens when I submit a free case review?
When you submit a case review, you tell us briefly what happened. We review the information and, where it makes sense, connect you with an experienced maritime attorney who can evaluate your specific situation in more detail. There is no cost and no obligation, and you are never required to move forward with anything you are not comfortable with.
How quickly should I act?
Sooner is better, for two reasons. First, maritime claims have strict deadlines: Jones Act and general maritime claims generally must be filed within three years, and the Longshore Act has its own, often shorter, notice requirements. Missing a deadline can permanently bar a claim. Second, evidence fades, records can be lost, equipment repaired, and memories blur, so the sooner your situation is evaluated, the better it can be documented.
Will I have to talk to anyone or commit to anything?
Requesting a case review does not commit you to anything. It is simply a no-cost, no-obligation way to understand your options. If you are later connected with an attorney, any decision to work with that firm is entirely yours, and any agreement would be directly between you and that firm.
Is my information kept private?
We take your privacy seriously. The information you share is used to evaluate your situation and, where appropriate, to connect you with a maritime attorney. Please review our Privacy Policy for full details on how your information is handled, including how it may be shared with attorneys for the purpose of evaluating your potential claim.
Still Have Questions?
This page cannot answer every question, because every maritime injury is different. If you are unsure about anything, the simplest next step is to request a free, no-obligation case review. We will listen to what happened and help you understand your options, and if it makes sense, connect you with an experienced maritime attorney. It costs nothing, and there is no obligation.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Offshore Injury Help is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; consult a licensed maritime attorney about your specific situation.