Intracoastal Waterway Barge Accident Lawyer
Working on a barge could be an extremely dangerous job under some circumstances. When the operator of a barge does not take steps to protect workers, they could be liable if a worker sustains severe injuries during a barge accident. If you were injured while working on a barge that operates on the Intracoastal Waterway, you should consult with an experienced Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., we are committed to providing our clients with the unique legal representation needed to pursue compensation for their injuries. A victim of a barge accident should not be burdened with medical bills and other expenses due to the actions of a negligent individual. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your potential barge accident case, contact Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., at (866) 386-1762. Our website could also be used to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Intracoastal Waterway Barge Accidents
Barges are commonly used to transport materials and other items to a variety of locations. Due to the frequency at which barges are used, it would be expected that the operator of a barge will do their best to avoid serious accidents. Unfortunately, there are many circumstances where a worker could be injured due to a barge accident.
The following is a list of common causes of Intracoastal Waterway barge accidents that could lead to a potential personal injury lawsuit:
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are common occurrences on barges due to spills and water that may splash onto the vessel due to how close the deck is to the waterline. When a slip and fall accident occurs, a worker could fall into hard surfaces and sustain a variety of injuries, such as bone fractures or brain injuries.
Falling Overboard
Falling overboard from a barge is another possible way for a worker to become injured. It is especially dangerous when a person falls from the ship because they could make contact with the underside of the boat and suffer a wide range of injuries.
Fires and Explosions
Barges are vessels that typically transport items like oil and other materials that are highly flammable or that could possibly explode. A barge fire or explosion could leave workers with severe burns, loss of hearing, lacerations, and many other injuries.
This is not an exhaustive list of ways that a barge accident may happen. The Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyers at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A, could help you examine your options to seek compensation if you were a victim of a barge accident.
Filing an Intracoastal Waterway Barge Accident Lawsuit
Victims of an Intracoastal Waterway barge accident have a lot of factors to consider if they want to file a lawsuit against a person or entity responsible for their accident. One of the first issues that must be handled in an intracoastal barge accident is discovering which laws apply to your case. When an injury occurs in intracoastal waters, it could be difficult to pinpoint whether the victim should consider filing a state or federal case. We could help you determine whether you should pursue your claim in federal or state courts.
Another factor that should be considered when preparing for a waterway barge accident lawsuit is determining the liable parties for the accident. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there could be one or multiple people liable for the victim’s injuries. For instance, if a coworker of the victim accidentally started a fire, the victim could pursue a claim against them. Alternatively, the barge worker’s employer or the operator of the barge may also be held accountable for the accident.
It is vital to note that some barge accidents may fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Normally, longshore and harbor workers and others employed in a similar position are unable to claim state workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that occur working on a harbor or on a vessel. The LHWCA permits a broad range of ship workers to seek compensation benefits should they be injured while working. However, if a barge worker elects to claim workers’ comp benefits in an accident, they will be unable to seek a personal injury lawsuit against their employer.
Our Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyers could help you discover whether it would be prudent to seek damages in a court of law or whether it would be prudent to file for benefits through the LHWCA. Our firm has years of experience helping injured barge and harbor workers suffering from injuries that changed their life, and we would like to help you litigate for the money you need to get your life back on track.
Let Our Diligent Intracoastal Waterway Barge Accident Attorneys Handle Your Potential Claim
If you or a family member was injured in a barge accident on the Intracoastal Waterway, contact a skilled Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyer immediately. The skilled legal team at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., possess decades of combined legal experience, and we would be pleased to offer you our legal services. If you would like to schedule a free case review concerning your barge accident, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., at (866) 386-1762. You could also contact our Intracoastal Waterway barge accident lawyers online to schedule your free consultation.
