Witnesses and statements
Documentation of your medical condition is of extreme significance, so is documentation and proof of how the accident occurred. It is through the eyes and ears of your fellow workers that the proof of your case is found. As will be discussed later, the insurance company investigators and adjusters have enormous resources to investigate the claim.
It is of extreme importance that as soon as humanly possible, a list of names, addresses and phone numbers be secured of all personnel aboard the vessel for future reference.
Statements of the witnesses shortly after the accident serve two extremely important functions. First of all, it captures the moment of what, why and how an accident occurred. The memory of what happened is of greater detail and clarity one day after the accident than it is when you, or your attorney, seek to secure a statement several weeks, months or years later. By that time, it may be too late. Secondly, a written or recorded statement is impossible to change at a later date. A fellow worker may remember in vivid detail the error or mistake made by the culpable individual or company. Six months later, however, on the verge of a promotion or dream assignment, subtle pressures may be placed on him to alter his memory. If a statement had been secured at an earlier time, the subtle pressures would be of no consequence. For the company, it would be too late.