Attorney William Gee Calls for Stronger Awareness Around Maritime Worker Rights After Offshore Injuries

A veteran maritime lawyer urges workers to take simple early steps that protect their health, safety, and legal standing.

LAFAYETTE, LA / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 /Maritime attorney William Gee is urging offshore workers across the Gulf Coast and beyond to take fast, practical action after workplace injuries, raising awareness about rights that many workers do not realize they already have.

Gee, who has decades of experience representing injured maritime workers and has secured verdicts exceeding $100 million, says too many offshore employees lose key protections because they are never told how to respond after an accident.

"Workers often assume the company will document everything for them, " said Gee. "But I 've seen cases where half the story vanished because a worker stayed quiet or trusted the wrong person. Ten minutes of action on day one can protect a worker for years. "

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, maritime workers face injury rates three to four times higher than the average American workplace. Offshore conditions include heavy machinery, long shifts, and unpredictable seas. Studies from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show that many offshore injuries are never reported within the first 24 hours, which often leads to disputes and delays in treatment.

"These jobs are tough, and injuries happen fast, " Gee said. "When people wait to report something or try to walk it off, they make life harder for their future selves. I once worked with a man who hid his back pain to look tough. Weeks later, that delay became the main fight in his case. If he had spoken up right away, the proof would have worked for him instead of against him. "

Workers Often Don 't Know Their Legal Rights

Gee says that one of the biggest issues is lack of awareness. Maritime workers have special rights under laws such as the Jones Act, which allows injured crew members to pursue compensation when unsafe conditions contribute to an injury. They also have access to "maintenance and cure, " which guarantees medical care and basic living costs until recovery.

"These laws exist to protect workers, not companies, " Gee explained. "But the rights don 't work if the worker doesn 't take the basic steps to support their own case. "

One example he shared involved a deckhand who thought a slippery surface did not count as negligence. "He told me, 'It was just wet. ' But the rule is simple. If the crew knew the deck was slick and didn 't fix it or mark it, that 's unsafe. Once he understood that, everything made sense. His whole case changed. "

Early Evidence Is Critical

Research from the American Maritime Safety group shows that cases with early photo evidence have much higher success rates. Proof disappears fast offshore. Waves wash away marks. Equipment gets repaired. People forget.

Gee encourages workers to take photos, gather names, and write down details as soon as it is safe.

"Even quick phone photos can save a case, " he said. "I had a client who snapped a single picture of a broken step. That one photo proved the company ignored warnings for months. "

He also warns workers not to sign statements they do not fully understand. "If a form leaves out the important parts, that becomes the official record. Never sign anything that feels rushed or incomplete. "

Workers Should Seek Medical Care Right Away

Many maritime workers try to push through pain, fearing judgment from the crew. Studies show that delaying treatment can worsen injuries and weaken claims.

Gee recalled a case where a worker downplayed a fall onboard. "He didn 't want to seem weak, " Gee said. "But later, the company argued the injury must have happened off the vessel. If he had reported it and seen the medic that day, the facts would have been clear. "

Medical care protects both health and documentation.

What Maritime Workers Can Do Right Now

Gee emphasizes that protecting your rights does not start with paperwork or a lawsuit. It starts with simple daily habits and fast action after an accident.

He encourages maritime workers to take the following steps:

• Report every injury immediately

• Ask for medical care onboard and onshore

• Do not sign anything unclear

• Take photos and gather names

• Learn basic maritime rights

• Keep all medical appointments

• Get guidance from someone who knows maritime law

"These steps are things workers can do on their own, " Gee said. "You don 't have to become a legal expert. You just need to protect yourself at the moment. "

He hopes this awareness push empowers offshore workers to act confidently and quickly when accidents happen.

"Maritime workers are some of the hardest working people out there, " he said. "They deserve protection. They deserve clear information. And they deserve to know that their actions matter. "

About William Gee

William Gee is a Louisiana-based maritime and personal injury attorney known for his meticulous case work, long hours, and strong commitment to client service. Over his multi-decade career, he has represented injured offshore workers across the Gulf region and helped secure major verdicts and settlements, including a $117 million jury verdict.

Media Contact
William Gee
info@williamgee.com
https://www.williamgee.com/

SOURCE: William Gee

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