Injured Offshore? Avoid Making This BIG Mistake!

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All too often the actions you take following an offshore accident greatly determine if you are treated fairly during your claim for compensation.  Many times those injured in maritime accidents make the same costly mistake – putting too much trust in the insurance company and your employer.

The first thing your employer will do following a maritime accident is to notify their insurance provider to have a file opened and a claims adjuster assigned to your case.  It is important to remember these adjusters are NOT representing your best interest.  They work for your employer and are paid to use their skills to find ways to reduce the amount of money paid to you.

In fact, no matter how much your company seems to care about you and your injury, the insurance adjuster assigned to your case has only one goal in mind – to pay as little as possible for your claim.

One of the techniques often used by insurance adjusters is to approach the injured employee in a very friendly manner, hoping to gain trust, so you will say something that can be used to weaken your case thus saving the company money.

To protect your rights after an offshore accident you should avoid the following until speaking with an experienced offshore maritime attorney:

  • Giving a recorded statement
  • Signing any documents

If you are contacted by a claims adjuster before hiring an attorney, you should only provide your name and contact information.  You should tell the adjuster you would like to speak with an attorney before giving an interview, answering questions or signing documents.  If the adjuster pressures you anyway, they clearly do not have your best interest in mind.  Either way, you should get an experienced offshore maritime attorney involved as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one has suffered a maritime injury, we urge you to consult with one of our experienced offshore maritime attorneys before discussing the accident with company representatives.  Reeves & Mestayer, PLLC are aggressive attorneys who fight for maximum compensation, helping our clients recover from medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

You can contact us here on our website, by phone at 228-374-5151 or toll free 1-855-558-2977, or in our office at 160 Main Street, Biloxi, MS.  During your free case evaluation, our firm will go over the details of your accident.  We our experienced personal injury attorneys who fight on behalf of our clients to secure the recovery they deserve.