Missouri Barge Accident Injury Attorneys

Barge Accident Catastrophic Injuries

Missouri barge workers work in a high-risk environment. There are many different ways that a barge worker can suffer an injury that results in time away from work and expensive medical bills. In some cases, the injury can be so severe that it forever affects the victim's quality of life. While most work injury accidents can be settled through workers compensation insurance, barge workers must prove that negligence was a factor in the accident in order to hold their employers liable for the injuries suffered. This process can be difficult and the laws applicable to such cases can be complicated. Anyone struggling with an injury caused by a barge accident would be well advised to seek support from a skilled Missouri personal injury attorney who has a successful track record of dealing with similar cases.

Catastrophic Injuries

The amount of compensation available through civil litigation is tied to the severity of the injuries suffered. A barge accident that results in a minor injury will likely result in a smaller settlement, but injuries that are considered catastrophic have the potential to result in a substantial settlement. An injury may be considered catastrophic if:

  • It results in a long-term or permanent injury;
  • It affects the victim's quality of life;
  • The victim's ability to work or conduct normal activities is forever altered; or
  • It results in a disability which is permanent.

Proving a Catastrophic Injury

A big part of the legal process of pursuing financial compensation for a barge injury accident is proving the severity of the injuries suffered. Important steps that should be taken by all injured barge workers include:

  • Reporting the injury to the employer;
  • Immediately seeking medical attention;
  • Keeping all medical information including tests, bills, and other records;
  • Writing down the extent of the physical pain and suffering you experience every day as a result of the injury; and
  • Monitoring the financial losses sustained during the healing process.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries Suffered in Barge Accidents

Not all serious injuries are considered catastrophic. Many injuries can heal over time and the victim's quality of life will return to normal eventually. An injury that is considered catastrophic may involve:

  • Brain injury that affects the victim's memory, physical ability, personality, or speech;
  • Multiple bone fractures that will never fully heal;
  • Back injury involving spinal cord damage or extensive vertebrae damage;
  • Eye injury resulting in loss of vision in one or both eyes;
  • Hearing injury that results in loss of hearing; and
  • Amputation of limbs.

Seeking Compensation for a Missouri Barge Accident

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, known as The Jones Act, covers injury accidents that occur on the water. This means that instead of filing for workers compensation insurance, injured barge workers need to prove that their employer's negligence was a contributing factor in the accident.

The St. Louis Jones Act lawyers at Page Law know how to prove liability for such workplace accidents. We will examine all aspects of your case and ensure that you and your family receive just compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries in a Missouri barge accident, please contact us to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.