Maritime Accident Attorney in Jackson

Common Maritime Accidents & Injuries

Maritime work is demanding even on a good day. Long hours, heavy equipment, changing weather, and confined spaces all increase the risk of serious harm. When companies cut corners on safety or ignore known hazards, workers are often the ones who pay the price.

Examples of common maritime and offshore incidents we see include:

• Deck accidents involving slips, trips, or falls on wet or cluttered surfaces
• Crane, winch, or lifting failures that drop heavy loads on crew members
• Falls from heights, ladders, or rig structures in the Gulf of Mexico
• Equipment malfunctions or explosions on drilling rigs or production platforms
• Collisions or allisions involving towboats, barges, or other commercial vessels
• Injuries during cargo loading, mooring, or line handling operations

We help workers and families across the Jackson area whose lives have been changed by many types of maritime incidents. We have seen injuries resulting from unsafe vessels, poor maintenance, inadequate crew training, safety violations, and pressure to keep working in bad weather or with broken equipment. Some workers are hurt because they are pushed to work even when they're exhausted, which can slow reaction times and lead to mistakes that cause catastrophic harm.

Compensation for Maritime Injuries

These incidents often lead to severe injuries that require extensive medical care and long periods away from work. We frequently see back and neck injuries, head trauma, crush injuries, burns, amputations, and other life-changing conditions. Many clients also struggle with chronic pain and emotional distress long after the initial accident.

Under maritime law and the Jones Act, seamen and some other maritime workers may have the right to pursue compensation when negligence or an unseaworthy condition contributed to their injury. These laws are different from ordinary workers’ compensation systems, and they can provide broader recovery in some situations.

Depending on your situation, you could be entitled to the following types of damages: 

• Medical expenses 
• Future care costs 
• Lost income/wages
• Lost earning ability 
• Pain and suffering
• Lost quality of life

How A Jackson Maritime Lawyer Can Help

Many injured maritime workers are surprised to learn that an offshore or vessel accident might be governed by a mix of federal maritime law, like the Jones Act, state regulations, and other statutes. Navigating these rules while you are in pain and worried about your job is not something you should have to do alone.

When you work with a maritime injury lawyer in Jackson from our firm, we start by listening carefully to your story. We gather information about your job duties, where the accident happened, who owned or operated the vessel or rig, and what medical care you have received so far. This helps us determine which laws may apply and what types of claims you may have.

We then move quickly to investigate. In maritime cases, important evidence can disappear if no one acts. Our firm works to secure vessel logs, maintenance and inspection records, safety manuals, and company policies. We strive to identify and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh and, when appropriate, consult with maritime and medical experts to evaluate the cause and severity of your injuries.

Because Mark Sledge has spent years on the bench and even more years trying cases in courts across Mississippi and around the country, we prepare every claim as if it could go to trial. His judicial background helps us anticipate how a judge might rule on key issues and how a jury might react to the evidence, which influences how we build your case and present your story.

We also understand the realities of life for Mississippi maritime workers. Many of our clients live in or around Jackson and travel to rigs in the Gulf of Mexico or to towboats and barges on inland waterways. While some claims may be filed in federal court, potentially including the federal courthouse located in Jackson, we can meet with you here at home, explain each step, and keep you updated as the case progresses.

As we pursue your claim, we consider all of the losses you may face, not just your immediate medical bills. Depending on the facts and the law that applies, we may seek compensation for lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, medical and rehabilitation costs, and the physical and emotional impact of your injuries. Our goal is to help you pursue a result that reflects how the accident has changed your life.

Throughout the process, our firm communicates in plain language. We return calls, answer questions, and give you honest guidance about settlement offers and trial options. In every case, we handle the legal and procedural work so you do not have to navigate complex maritime rules or court procedures on your own.