5 Steps to Take After Getting Injured Offshore
March 2, 2021 @ 11:02 pm
Offshore injuries happen quickly. Hoses burst. Cables snap. Hatch doors get left open in the dark. It wasn’t your fault, but the actual accident leaves you reeling through a scary chain of events. In the end, you’re left to figure out exactly what to do after getting injured offshore.
In short, how do you go about getting compensation for debilitating injuries and take care of your family and financial responsibilities? While there’s no magical answer, chances are, you’re going to need a knowledgeable maritime personal injury attorney, and that lawyer is going to need facts to build a solid case. So, here are five key things you need to do if you get injured offshore:
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Get immediate medical care.
In a serious accident like an explosion, you may have no say in who provides immediate emergency care. You might not even be conscious, but if you are able, request immediate emergency medical attention. If it’s not immediately available, insist on medical attention as soon as possible. Professional medical treatment will ensure documentation and proof that your injury is the direct result of the work event. What’s more, it will provide an expert assessment of the degree of your injury.
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Document a complete timeline of events.
Memory becomes foggy—especially if head trauma is involved. Stress, medications and repeated interviews can make you question your own memory of what happened. Write down everything you remember, and create a detailed timeline that includes everything leading up to the event, everything associated with the event and everything that happened immediately following the event. It’s your storyline, so include every detail you can remember, from who was present and what was said, for example, to the moment the incident happened.
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Keep a journal or daily planner.
Time passes quickly, and stressful events often cluster together during crises. Record dates and times for phone calls, meetings, interviews, medical appointments and other important milestones to keep your information in order. You may need to recall when you last spoke with someone and be able to describe the conversation. A journal or planner is an easy way to jot down details as they happen, creating a working record of events, names, times, dates and notes—details that strengthen your credibility.
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Save electronic correspondence.
With so many important transactions completed online with an email, chat or text, electronic copies of communications become high-value documents that can disappear with one unintended backspace or swipe. Take the time to create a folder so you can archive copies and screenshots of communications and notifications you receive as well as the ones you send. You never know what proof you might need at a later date. Many healthcare providers and insurance companies, for example, share information through email or patient portals, so being able to log in and access your information is important.
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Keep your medical appointments and documentation.
Be sure to go to all scheduled medical appointments, and keep copies of all receipts and bills, test results, photographs, written reports and other data related to your injury. This can be particularly important when you need the expertise of multiple medical professionals. Expenses can mount quickly, but keeping track of your providers, their assessments and their billing provides solid evidence of the expenses and resources that your injury or condition requires now and may continue to demand into the future.
Every Detail Builds Your Case
Offshore injuries can be devastating. That’s why you need a personal injury lawyer who understands offshore working environments and specializes in maritime law — a lawyer who can tell you what details are needed to build a solid case and get you appropriate compensation. If you’ve been injured through someone else’s negligence while working offshore, the attorneys at Morrow, Morrow, Ryan, Bassett & Haik are ready to help. Contact us today, and let us get you the compensation you’re owed.
