This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on the handling of Illinois longshore and maritime worker injury cases. I considered it important to write on this topic as it involves complicated issues of law and it is understandable that one may not know how to proceed after being injured. The goal of my last several articles was to provide information which will help people to better understand their situation. It has also been my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an injury attorney. If you or a family member are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a Peoria lawyer.
I addressed multiple topics over my recent articles. Issues which I analyzed include:
- Interpreting the Jones Act and the LHWCA
- How to bring a longshore or maritime injury case
- Third-party liability in longshore and maritime injury cases
There are several reasons why I chose to address these topics. First, Illinois’ normal workers’ compensation system does not apply to seamen or longshore workers. Instead seamen/maritime workers fall under the Jones Act if they have been injured on the job. Longshore workers, and other non-seamen who work around boats, fall under the LHWCA. These legal frameworks come with different rights for the injured workers and incorporate different procedures in the handling of such matters. Second, there are specific processes involved in bringing a claim. Failing to follow these processes can result in a claim being denied. Finally, workers who fall under these laws typically have greater rights when it comes to bringing claims against a third-party.
One point I stressed in each of these articles is that it is important to retain an attorney who is experienced in handling such matters. Attempting to handle the matter yourself, or having counsel who is unfamiliar with this area of law, can potentially result in you not receiving the full amount of compensation which you deserve. Worse, it may even result in your claim being denied altogether. If you have been injured on the job then we cannot stress enough the fact that you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
I am an Illinois longshore and maritime injury lawyer who understands the importance of your situation. My office is devoted to protecting the rights of individuals and we will be in regular contact with you through the process. Contact our Peoria office online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
