When an offshore worker is seriously injured in a personnel basket transfer, the physical recovery is often just one piece of a much larger problem. One of the most devastating consequences for injured workers—and their families—is the sudden and sometimes permanent loss of income. Whether the worker is unable to return to offshore duty for months, years, or ever again, the financial ripple effect can be life-altering.
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our maritime attorneys understand the real-world cost of these injuries. That’s why we work to ensure our clients not only receive compensation for medical care and pain and suffering—but also for the wages and earning potential they’ve lost due to someone else’s negligence.
When Injuries Disrupt Your Career
The injuries sustained in a failed basket transfer are often severe. Workers may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or amputations. These types of injuries frequently require long-term medical treatment and limit the physical capabilities needed for offshore work.
As a result, injured workers may:
- Be placed on extended medical leave
- Face job reassignment or demotion
- Be unable to pass required fitness-for-duty exams
- Lose industry certifications due to disability
- Be forced into early retirement
In other cases, the worker may return to land-based work, but at a reduced wage and without the same benefits they once relied on.
Calculating Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
A complete injury claim must account not only for wages already lost during recovery, but for the long-term income the worker can no longer earn due to their condition. These calculations can include:
- Lost wages during recovery and treatment
- Lost overtime and offshore bonuses, which can be substantial in oil and gas work
- Loss of future earning capacity, based on reduced physical abilities or job prospects
- Diminished retirement benefits or pension contributions
- Loss of fringe benefits, such as housing allowances, per diem, or insurance coverage
In serious cases, we work with financial experts and vocational specialists to document exactly how an injury has changed a client’s ability to work and support their family.
The Broader Financial Impact on Families
Lost income doesn’t just affect the injured worker—it affects everyone who depends on them. Spouses, children, and other family members may struggle to cover:
- Mortgage or rent payments
- Utility bills and food costs
- School tuition or childcare
- Vehicle payments and insurance
- Unexpected medical costs not covered by insurance
Even short-term income loss can snowball into debt and financial instability, especially if the injury forces the household to shift to a single income.
Pursuing Compensation Under Maritime Law
Offshore workers are protected by federal maritime law, including the Jones Act, which allows injured workers to sue their employer for negligence. If an unsafe personnel basket operation, poor training, or defective equipment contributed to the injury, the worker may be entitled to full wage-related damages.
You may also have a claim under general maritime law or against a third-party contractor or equipment manufacturer, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Unlike workers’ compensation, which is often limited, Jones Act and maritime injury claims allow for recovery of full lost earnings—past and future—along with other damages like pain and suffering, medical expenses, and disability.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation
Loss of income claims are not always straightforward. Employers and insurance companies often undervalue these claims or challenge the worker’s ability to prove long-term loss. They may argue that the worker could perform some other type of job, or that future earnings are too speculative to calculate.
That’s why it’s essential to work with a legal team experienced in maritime injury law—one that knows how to build and prove claims for lost earning capacity and protect your long-term financial future.
Spagnoletti Law Firm Fights for Injured Workers
If you or a loved one can no longer work offshore due to injuries suffered in a personnel basket accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our maritime accident lawyers understand the offshore industry, the law, and what it takes to hold negligent companies accountable.
📞 Contact Spagnoletti Law Firm today at 713-804-9306 for a free consultation with an experienced maritime injury attorney. We only get paid if we win compensation for you.