Mississippi Longshoreman Injury

The Longshoreman’s Secret Weapon: Navigable Waters and Your Case (Don’t Let Them Sink Your Claim!)

Listen up, Mississippi longshoremen! If you get a Mississippi Longshoreman Injury, you need to know about this!

You work your tails off on those docks, but what happens if disaster strikes and you’re injured on the job? Here’s the dirty little secret the insurance companies and some shady lawyers don’t want you to know: your right to compensation hinges on where your injury occurred.

That’s right, there’s a whole legal labyrinth called the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) that determines if you get the benefits you deserve. And nestled within this bureaucratic maze is a crucial element: 33 U.S.C. § 903 – Navigable Waters.

Now, before you glaze over and reach for another cup of joe, hear me out. This legalese can make or break your case. Grasping this concept can be the difference between securing the financial security you need after an injury and getting stiffed by a system rigged against you.

Let me, the Legal Crusader try to take the legal mumbo-jumbo out of it and explain it in English.

The Navigable Waters Gamble: Are You Covered?

Section 903 lays out a simple question: did your injury occur on navigable waters of the United States? If the answer is yes, then you’re likely covered under LHWCA. But here’s the twist – it’s not always that straightforward.

It isn’t straightforward because any time you have a Mississippi Longshoreman injury you have lawyers involved.

And if you have more than one lawyer involved, they can argue about anything and make anything incredibly complicated!

It’s one of the things that drives me nuts about lawyers!

If lawyers can argue about the weather, they can certainly argue about anything related to a Mississippi Longshoreman injury.

It really is kind of nuts what lawyers do.

But, let me see if I can explain it in English.

The law throws in a curveball for those working with “small vessels.” Here’s the legalese breakdown (don’t worry, I’ll translate it into plain English):

• Small Vessel Definition: The law considers a vessel “small” if it’s:
  * A commercial barge under 900 lightship displacement tons (think of it as a weight measurement for boats).
  * A commercial tugboat, fishing vessel, or other work vessel under 1600 gross tons (another way to measure a ship’s size).

• The “Unless” Clause: Even if you’re working with small vessels, there’s an exception. You’re still covered under LHWCA if the shipyard receives federal maritime subsidies (basically, government handouts to keep things afloat).

So, What Does This Mean for You?

This all boils down to one critical question: where did your injury happen?

• Working on a Massive Freighter? You’re golden. Injuries sustained on large vessels operating on navigable waters are almost certainly covered by LHWCA under Section 903.
• Stuck on a Tiny Tugboat? It gets trickier. If the tugboat falls under the “small vessel” definition and the shipyard doesn’t receive federal subsidies, then your LHWCA coverage might be in jeopardy.

Don’t Let Them Play the Navigable Waters Game

Here’s the kicker: insurance companies and some less-than-stellar lawyers will try to exploit the navigable waters clause to deny your claim. They might argue your injury happened on a “small vessel” in a non-navigable area, leaving you high and dry.

That’s why you need to read my book and educate yourself BEFORE you hire a lawyer.

Free Book: Top 5 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Longshore Case: Before you even talk to me, grab this free resource. It’ll educate you on your rights and the pitfalls to avoid. Remember, knowledge is power, especially when dealing with insurance companies.

After you read my book and you decide you want to talk, I have a Jay Foster Guarantee: My success is tied to yours. I am the ONLY lawyer that guarantees you walk away with more money than I do when your case settles.

Why should your lawyer get more money than you?

You were the one that got hurt.

You were the one that suffered through the pain and surgeries.

You were the one who has to live with this for the rest of your life.

So, again, why in the heck should your lawyer get more money than you????

That makes no sense at all.

But, again, for lawyers, nothing has to make sense where it concerns money.

Don’t Let a Navigable Waters Nightmare Sink Your Claim

Look, getting hurt on the job is bad enough. Don’t let the complexities of LHWCA add insult to injury. If you’ve been injured working on the Mississippi docks, especially with small vessels, contact The Legal Crusader today.

Schedule a free consultation online 24/7 – no phone tag, no runaround, just straight talk about your situation. We’ll navigate the legal waters together and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Remember: Before you talk to anyone else, grab your free copy of Top 5 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Longshore Case. It’s your key to understanding your rights and avoiding costly mistakes. Don’t be a shipwreck victim – equip yourself with the knowledge to win!