Maritime Law

Steps to Take After an Offshore Accident in Mississippi

By
Benjamin U. Bowden
on
May 9, 2025

You’re out on the water—maybe working long shifts on a drilling rig, a supply vessel, or a commercial ship. The job is tough, the hours are long, but it pays the bills. Then, something goes wrong. Equipment fails. Someone makes a careless mistake. You slip, fall, or get thrown across the deck in rough weather. Suddenly, you’re in pain, struggling to stand, and wondering what this means for your health, your job, and your future.

What do you do next? Who’s going to pay for your medical bills? Can you even afford to take time off work? And how do you make sure your employer doesn’t try to sweep it under the rug?

These are the hard questions offshore workers in Mississippi face every day after serious injuries. If this sounds like what you're going through—or what just happened to someone you care about—you need to act fast.

Ben Bowden, PC Trial Lawyer, is an experienced offshore injury lawyer in Gulfport, MS, and he’s here to help you take the right steps, protect your rights, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

What Counts as an Offshore Accident in Gulfport, MS?

Offshore accidents aren’t just slips and falls. They can involve:

  • Oil rig explosions
  • Heavy machinery injuries
  • Falls on slippery decks
  • Crush injuries from moving cargo
  • Vessel collisions or unsafe working conditions

These injuries are often severe—broken bones, brain injuries, burns, spinal damage—and they can leave you out of work for months or longer. Some accidents are even fatal.

Whether you’re covered under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or another federal law, one thing is certain: your employer and their insurance company are not on your side.

The 5 Steps You Must Take After an Offshore Accident

1. Report the Injury Immediately: Tell your supervisor or captain what happened right away. Be honest, clear, and specific. If they try to delay or downplay it, make a written report and keep a copy.

2. Get Medical Attention—Even If It Feels Minor: Some injuries don’t show up right away. You might feel fine at first, but head trauma or internal injuries can take time to appear. Go to a doctor, and make sure everything is documented.

3. Save Everything That Could Help Your Case: Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the equipment involved. Keep your work clothes or gear if they were damaged. Write down the names of anyone who saw the accident happen.

4. Track Every Expense: Keep every receipt—doctor visits, prescriptions, gas to medical appointments, and lost paychecks. These costs add up fast, and they’re all part of your claim.

5. Call a Gulfport Offshore Injury Lawyer Before You Sign Anything: Your employer’s insurance team will try to close the case fast and cheap. Don’t let them. Ben Bowden has years of experience fighting for injured offshore workers, and he knows how to handle companies that try to avoid responsibility. He’ll make sure you get treated fairly—on your terms.

Why Workers Trust Ben Bowden, PC Trial Lawyer

Ben Bowden, PC Trial Lawyer is more than just a personal injury lawyer—he’s a trial lawyer who knows how to build a strong case and take it to court when necessary. Offshore injury claims involve special laws and high-stakes negotiation. Ben knows what you’re up against and how to win.

He’ll investigate your accident, handle the paperwork, talk to the insurance companies, and fight for the full amount you’re owed—not just what your employer wants to pay.

Don’t Wait. The Sooner You Act, the Stronger Your Case.

If you’ve been hurt offshore in Gulfport or anywhere along the Mississippi coast, time matters. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Insurance companies move fast to protect themselves—not you.

Call Ben Bowden, PC Trial Lawyer, today for a free consultation with a trusted offshore injury lawyer in Gulfport, MS. We’ll protect your rights and fight for every dollar you deserve.