According to the UKsHealth and Safety Executive (HSE), the major maritime injury rate was reported to be 151.8 per 100,000 workers in 2010-2011. The minor injury rate was 106 per 100,000 workers.. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, maritime workers have the most dangerous occupation. Therefore, there are different laws in place to guard maritime workers and seamen. This article will provide an insight into the qualities of a good Jones Act lawyer in Houston.
3 Important Qualities in Jones Act Lawyer in Houston
The following are the qualities that a reputed Jones Act lawyer in Houston will possess:
1.Experience in dealing with Jones Act and maritime injury cases
The very first quality to seek in a reputed Jones Act lawyer in Houston is extensive knowledge on such cases. The Jones Act is a complex federal law and it requisites several years of practice for a lawyer to master the variety of circumstances. Although general practice lawyers can be competent in their area, they will not be able to handle Jones Act cases with flair unless they have a minimum of five years of practice. Therefore, it is recommended that claimants having serious maritime injury must seek a good maritime lawyer who handles only cases exclusively related to this particular Act.
2.Experience in the courtroom
Most of the time, maritime cases are tackled by insurance agencies and firm lawyers. Therefore, cases are prepared in a way that the claimant ends up getting a fair settlement. However, this is not the case always. To ensure a fair settlement, it is usually recommended that you pick a lawyer with a powerful courtroom experience as the case may demand presentation before the judge or jury. The defendants usually argue against every problem of the claimants declaration. So, there is a need to file motions and argue in front of judge to obtain a fair settlement. The lawyer may need to spend a lot of time in the court dealing with the case, so it is necessary that the he has extensive courtroom experience.
3.Have financial resources
It is a necessity that a good Jones Act lawyer in Houston must be financially sound to pay for the clients clinic cost and residing expenses in order to prove the damage. Although the maritime claim includes the past and future benefits, injury claim is expensive. Therefore, the lawyer needs an economic expert to confirm that the company wronged the claimant. They may also hire authorities to testify the negligence. And as these experts need payment, the lawyer must have sufficient financial resource to defend the claim.