Dishonest Offshore Employers: Tricks-of-the-Trade Fitts Zehl, LLP Attorneys Houston Texas

Offshore working conditions are difficult and dangerous. Even on a calm day at sea, the threats faced by maritime employees are substantial. In a working environment that tough, the last thing you need is your employer, or his insurance company, trying to fool you into doing something that may damage your case in the future. Here are a few tricks you should watch out for if you are injured offshore and in need of medical assistance:

•1.) Trying to get you to make a recorded statement soon after your injury.

•2.) Trying to deny you medical aid until you give a recorded statement.

•3.) Trying to make you sign something before you receive medical treatment.

•4.) Demanding that you see a company doctor.

•5.) Trying to pay you less than your full wages while you recover.

•6.) Trying to rush you back to work before you are ready.

•7.) Telling you that unless you can go back to work immediately they'll have to get someone else to take your place, permanently.

•8.) Trying to ruin your reputation throughout the industry so that you can't find another job.

•9.) Advising you not to hire a lawyer and then following that with an unreasonably low settlement offer.

These are just some of the tricks that have been pulled on injured seamen by their employers over the years. Do not fall for them. You are not required to say or sign anything. The bottom line is that your employer's interests are different from yours. If something your employer or his insurance company does feels wrong, it probably is. Contact the experienced Texas maritime lawyers at Fitts Zehl, LLP by phone at (800) 993-4887 or by email at rzehl@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com.

Recorded Statements-Should I Give One After an Injury?
Posted by: rzehl
September 23, 2008

Following an offshore injury, there's a good chance that your employer's insurance company is going to ask you for a recorded statement. They may even tell you that it's a necessary step in the evaluation of your claim and that the sooner you give a statement, the sooner you can be compensated.

Regardless of what the insurance company tells you, it is not in your best interest to give a recorded statement without first consulting an independent maritime attorney. Otherwise, you risk compromising your case. In reality, recorded statements are taken by insurance companies in order to catch you saying things that may hurt your claim or allow them to avoid paying you at all.

In addition, do not sign any paperwork given to you by the insurance company until you have had it reviewed by an independent maritime lawyer of your own choosing. By signing paperwork without the aid of independent counsel, you might just be signing away your right to compensation. Remember, the insurance company does not work for you.

IF you or someone you know has been injured offshore, contact the experienced Jones Act lawyers at the Fitts Zehl Law Firm by email at info@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com or by phone at (800) 99-FITTS.

Permalink

Dishonest Offshore Employers: Tricks-of-the-Trade

Topics

Recent Updates

Archives

Web Resources