If you were injured while working on a vessel, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster soon after the incident. This is common in Jones Act and maritime injury claims.
The adjuster may sound helpful. They may say they just want to “get your side of the story” or “move things along.” They might ask for a recorded statement or request that you sign a medical authorization form.
It is important to remember who they represent. The insurance adjuster works for the vessel owner, employer, or company that may be legally responsible for your injury. They do not represent your interests. Before you agree to speak with them or sign anything, you should understand how these early conversations can affect your maritime claim.
Contact Latti Associates LLC at (617) 523-1000 before speaking with an insurance adjuster. We can help guide you on what to say, what to avoid, and even speak with them on your behalf.
Should an Injured Seaman Give a Recorded Statement?
The safest answer is no.
Insurance companies often request recorded statements within days of a maritime accident. At that point, you may not know the full extent of your injuries. You may still be in pain, on medication, or unsure of what caused the incident.
Recorded statements can create problems later. An adjuster may:
- Ask questions in a way that shifts blame
- Focus on small details that seem minor at the time
- Lock you into descriptions before doctors complete testing
- Use uncertainty against you
Even casual remarks such as, “I’m feeling a little better” can later be used to minimize your injuries. Once a statement is recorded, it becomes part of the claim and can be referenced throughout the case.
Under the Jones Act and general maritime law, injured seamen have strong legal protections. There is no requirement stating you must give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company before speaking with legal counsel. You may still be entitled to maintenance and cure benefits, even without giving a statement.
Should You Sign a Medical Authorization After a Maritime Injury?
Insurance adjusters often ask injured maritime workers to sign medical authorization forms. These documents may appear routine, but they can be very broad.
A general medical authorization can allow the insurance company to access years of unrelated medical records. In maritime injury cases, insurers sometimes search those records to argue that:
- The injury was pre-existing
- Symptoms are unrelated to the vessel accident
- Treatment is excessive
In maintenance and cure claims, your employer has obligations to provide benefits and compensation. Giving unrestricted access to your full medical history can complicate that process.
There is rarely a reason to provide the at-fault party’s insurer with unlimited medical access without first understanding how it may affect your case.
How Insurance Adjusters Handle Jones Act and Maritime Claims
Maritime injury claims are different from typical land-based injury cases. They may involve vessel owners, operators, offshore contractors, and multiple insurance carriers. Adjusters handling these claims are trained to evaluate liability and limit payouts under federal maritime law. That does not mean every conversation is hostile. It simply means their responsibility is to protect the company’s financial interests.
If you are a commercial fisherman, merchant seaman, or offshore worker injured at sea, early missteps can affect your ability to recover full compensation under maritime law.
What to Do If an Insurance Adjuster Contacts You After a Boat Injury
If an insurance adjuster calls after a vessel injury, you can remain polite without providing detailed information.
You are not obligated to:
- Give a recorded statement immediately
- Speculate about fault
- Sign broad medical authorizations
- Accept a quick settlement
It is reasonable to say that you are not prepared to provide a statement at that time. If you have already spoken with the adjuster, that does not mean your claim is lost. It simply means you should move carefully going forward. By working with Latti Associates LLC, we can help to protect your rights and handle insurance claims for you.
Protecting Your Rights After a Jones Act Injury
Injuries at sea often involve serious conditions such as head trauma, spinal injuries, or orthopedic damage. The long-term impact may not be clear in the first few days or weeks.
Because Jones Act and maritime injury claims operate under federal law, the strategy used early in the case can influence the outcome. Recorded statements and medical releases are not just routine paperwork, they can shape how the claim is evaluated.
If you were injured while working on a vessel or offshore, contact Latti Associates LLC before providing a recorded statement or signing any insurance documents. With more than 60 years of experience representing injured seamen nationwide, our team understands how maritime insurers handle these claims and how to protect your rights from the start.
