Have you been involved in an offshore accident? Then, you might be wondering what the next steps would be. Most importantly, you would want to know about the legal process that can help you get compensation for your injuries or damages.
That is where an offshore accident lawyer can come into play. They can assist you with legal matters pertaining to offshore accidents. However, choosing the right offshore accident lawyer is vital since they can guide you in the right direction. We’ll explore the factors to consider when hiring one.
Hiring an Offshore Accident Lawyer: Factors to Consider
Having the right offshore accident lawyer by your side gives you the peace of mind that they’ll handle all the legal proceedings. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about attending court, dealing with insurance companies, or other things. Keeping the following factors in mind can help you find the best offshore accident attorney.
Proper Knowledge and Understanding of Maritime Law and the Jones Act
When it comes to offshore accidents, you need to have a lawyer by your side that has a better idea of the concerning laws. They should have an idea of maritime law in general and about Jones Act in particular. Some lawyers would only have expertise in handling workers’ compensation claims.
However, as per the Jones Act, the offshore accident would need to be treated differently from traditional claims. Apart from other things, you will also need to show proof that the employer has somewhat of a role in your injuries. It should prove that there was some sort of negligence by the employer.
Experience in the Field
One thing to keep in mind is that not all types of lawyers are capable of handling cases related to maritime law. Some attorneys might be handling all aspects of law simultaneously. For instance, you might come across a lawyer that would claim to have years or even decades of experience.
However, their experience would in family law so it would not make them a qualified offshore accident lawyer. So, you need to find one that has experience in dealing with cases like yours. The attorneys should have spent most part of their career dealing with the cases of offshore accidents.
Ideally, you want to have a lawyer by your side that have handled cases similar to your own. If they have dealt with cases similar to yours, then it can be a huge plus point. In a nutshell, the more experience they have in managing situations similar to yours, the better it would be for your case.
Reviews and Testimonials from Other Clients
Reviews play a major role in helping you find out whether or not the offshore accident lawyer is worth trusting. And finding them is no longer a challenge thanks to the easy access to the internet. There is a wide range of platforms where people can leave reviews about the services.
They even let clients post about the services they have taken for any offshore accident lawyer. You can head over to those platforms and learn about the reviews for the customers. The more satisfied clients a lawyer has, the higher quality of services it provides.
Fees and Charges
The most important thing before working with an offshore accident lawyer is checking out how much it would cost you. People are not aware of how much an offshore accident lawyer would cost them. They would need to have a better idea about how the additional costs that they would incur for the case.
So, it is best to sit down with your offshore accident lawyer and discuss all the things beforehand. Also, make sure to ask them if there are any possible circumstances where they would consider increasing the fees.
Resources and Availability
Lastly, offshore accident cases can get complicated over time. So, you need to have a lawyer by your side that allows you to have the time and resources for your case. This is an important factor since it can help you build a strong case for you. Ask the offshore accident lawyer about the hours they can dedicate.
If you’re dealing with a sole practitioner, then they need to spend a specific amount of time on your case for a useful result. Usually, a law firm has the relevant resources that they can dedicate to your case. However, that might be difficult for a sole practitioner since they would be dealing with various clients. Either way, you should discuss this with your attorney beforehand.
Final Words
Offshore accidents can sometimes lead to life-altering injuries. Therefore, having the right offshore accident lawyer is vital for you to get the compensation you deserve. They’ll properly analyze your case and consider all aspects to build a strong case for you. So, keep the factors mentioned in this article in mind when choosing an offshore accident lawyer.
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