What to Do After an
Offshore Injury.
You just got hurt on a vessel, platform, or offshore rig. You are in pain, you are worried about your job, and your employer is already managing the situation — in their interest, not yours. What you do in the next 72 hours will determine whether your Jones Act claim is worth $50,000 or $500,000.
8 Steps to Protect Your Rights After an Offshore Injury
Get Medical Attention — Do Not Refuse Treatment
Accept all medical treatment offered. Do not downplay your symptoms or say “I'm fine.” Every statement you make to medical personnel becomes part of the record. Report every symptom— adrenaline masks pain, and what feels minor today may be a herniated disc or torn rotator cuff tomorrow.
Report the Injury to Your Supervisor Immediately
Federal maritime regulations require reporting within 7 days— do not wait. Report it the same shift. Insist on a written incident report that includes the exact date, time, location, hazard, witnesses, and your symptoms. Get a copy before leaving the vessel.
Document the Scene and Conditions
Evidence disappears. Decks get cleaned, equipment gets repaired. Capture photos and video of the location, the hazard, your injuries, and any missing safety equipment. Collect personal cell phone numbers from every witness — offshore crews rotate, and your witnesses may be on a different rig within days. Write your own detailed account within 24 hours.
Understand Your Maintenance & Cure Rights
Your employer owes you maintenance and cure regardless of fault. Current Texas maintenance rates in 2026range from $25 to $65+ per day. Cure covers all medical treatment until genuine MMI. Watch for underpayment — a $25/day payment ($750/month) when your actual living costs are $3,000/month is intentional pressure to force a cheap settlement.
Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement
An adjuster from your employer's P&I insurer will call you within days. Decline the recorded statement — you are not legally required to give one. It locks you into a version of events before you fully understand your injuries. If pressed, say: “I need to focus on my medical treatment right now.”
Do NOT Sign Anything Without Legal Review
Medical authorizations give the insurer access to your complete medical history. Settlement releases permanently waive all future claims. Statements of fact are often subtly reworded by the adjuster. The statute of limitations is 3 years— you have time to make informed decisions.
See Your Own Doctor — Not Just the Company Doctor
Under the Jones Act, you have the absolute right to select your own treating physician. Company doctors frequently declare MMI prematurely, cutting off your medical coverage and maintenance payments. Choose a doctor experienced with occupational or maritime injuries who understands how to document injuries for legal purposes.
Contact a Maritime Attorney Before Making Any Decisions
Call before you give a statement, sign anything, or accept any offer. A maritime attorney sends a preservation letter requiring evidence retention, advises on maintenance and cure entitlement, communicates with the P&I insurer on your behalf, and investigates conditions while evidence is fresh. Most work on contingency with free initial consultations. Not sure if you qualify? Take the eligibility quiz.
What NOT to Do After an Offshore Injury
Do Not Post on Social Media
The employer's legal team will search your accounts. A photo of you at a barbecue two weeks after reporting a debilitating injury will be used against you — regardless of the context or pain you were managing.
Do Not Use Company Channels
Anything you say on company radio, email, or company-issued devices is accessible to the employer. Keep accident-related conversations to personal devices and personal accounts.
Do Not Return to Work Early
If you return before your independent doctor clears you and reinjure yourself, the employer will argue the second injury is a new event — potentially resetting your claim or reducing its value.
Do Not Ignore Delayed Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, and internal injuries often do not present symptoms immediately. If new symptoms appear days or weeks later, see your doctor immediately and document the connection to the original incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after getting hurt on an offshore rig?
Get medical attention immediately and report the injury to your supervisor the same shift. Accept all treatment offered — do not downplay symptoms. Then document the scene with photos, collect witness contact information, and write your own account within 24 hours. Do not give recorded statements or sign anything from the employer's insurance adjuster.
Am I entitled to pay while I recover from an offshore injury?
Yes. Under general maritime law, your employer owes you maintenance (daily living expenses) and cure (medical treatment costs) from the date of injury until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement. This obligation exists regardless of who was at fault. You may also be entitled to additional damages through a Jones Act negligence claim.
Can my employer fire me for filing a Jones Act claim?
The Jones Act does not contain an explicit anti-retaliation provision, but retaliatory termination creates additional exposure for the employer and can increase damages in your claim. Most employers avoid termination during an active claim because it strengthens the employee's case and looks bad to a jury.
Should I use the company doctor or get my own?
Both. See the company doctor as directed — refusing all treatment hurts your case. But also establish independent medical care with a physician of your choosing. You have the legal right to select your own doctor. The independent physician's records will serve as the primary medical evidence in your claim.
Related Resources
Ready to move forward? See the complete step-by-step guide to filing a Jones Act claim from injury to resolution.
Learn how proving employer negligenceunder the “featherweight” standard affects your settlement amount.
If a company doctor declared you at MMI while you are still recovering, learn how to dispute a premature MMI determination.
See average Jones Act settlement amounts by injury type to understand what your case may be worth.
Understand the difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore Act to know which legal framework applies to your situation.
Find a Local Jones Act Attorney
Injured on the Gulf Coast? Connect with a Jones Act lawyer who handles maritime cases in your area.
The First 72 Hours Set Your Case Trajectory
A participating attorney may contact you to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and ensure your employer meets their maintenance and cure obligations from day one.