Q: How quickly will my offshore injury case be resolved and how much is it worth?

Posted by: rzehl
May 13, 2008
Topic: Maritime & Jones Act FAQ

A: There are many factors to consider in determining the value of your case and how quickly it will be resolved. First of all, any settlement or jury verdict is dependant on the extent of the injury itself. How long will the injury keep you out of work? A short time? A long time? These questions must be evaluated by experts but, essentially, the greater the injury, the greater the settlement value.

Another factor involves what kind of case you have. Is it Jones Act? Longshore and Harbor Workers Act? General Maritime Law? Depending upon the type of case, the settlement values can vary. For the most part, Jones Act cases are worth more. However, this is not always true and each case must be evaluated individually.

An additional factor is the location where your injury occurred and the place where the case is filed. Some jurisdictions are better than others when it comes to filing a lawsuit. Offshore injury claims are subject to complicated venue rules controlling where a case may be filed. For this reason, it is very important for you to speak to an experienced maritime attorney in order to decide where to file your case.

The list is extensive. Other factors include how experienced the attorneys are on both sides, how clear the liability is and whether or not there were any safety regulations that were violated leading to your injury.

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