Located near where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf, New Orleans has been one of America’s most important and vibrant port cities for centuries. Its location on major bodies of water makes it essential for the maritime industry, which employs tens of thousands of New Orleans residents and Louisianians.
Unfortunately, the maritime industry can be extremely dangerous for workers. People in this field are much more likely to suffer serious on-the-job injuries than people in many other common lines of work. In addition, getting compensation after these types of injuries can be difficult, as the industry is subject to many unique laws and regulations.
If you or someone you love was injured in a maritime accident, Dudley DeBosier has the industry knowledge, legal experience, and aggressive approach to help you get maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Maritime or Offshore Injury? We Can Help.
Regardless of where you work or what your job is, you should expect to be safe when you’re on the clock. However, that’s not always the case for workers in New Orleans, especially those in the maritime industry. The New Orleans maritime accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can help if you were injured while performing any of these types of jobs:
- Cargo ship hand
- Construction barge worker
- Deckhand
- Drill ship worker
- Harbor worker
- Longshoreman
- Oil rig worker
- Seaman
- Supply vessel worker
- Tanker worker
- Towboat and tugboat worker
Understanding Maritime Law and Your Rights
The presence of certain laws and regulations make maritime accident claims very different from other types of on-the-job injury claims. When accidents happen, injured workers need strong legal representation under admiralty law. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, maritime injury claims fall under complex federal laws that provide specialized protections for seamen and other maritime workers.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act grants rights to injured seamen and allows them to file negligence claims against their employers. If an employer’s failure, such as improper training, unsafe working conditions, or inadequate equipment, causes an injury, the worker may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Additionally, seamen can file unseaworthiness claims against vessel owners if the ship or its equipment is not reasonably fit for its intended use.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
For maritime workers who are not classified as seamen, such as dock workers, shipbuilders, and harbor construction workers, the LHWCA provides critical benefits, including:
- Medical benefits for work-related injuries
- Disability compensation for temporary or permanent impairments
- Vocational rehabilitation to help injured workers transition to new employment
- Death benefits for surviving family members of workers fatally injured on the job
These laws are complex and distinct from regular workers’ compensation. If you were injured in a maritime accident, you need an experienced New Orleans maritime accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability in Maritime Injury Cases
As with all types of accidents, determining who’s liable for a maritime injury can be difficult. Multiple parties could potentially be liable for a single accident, including:
- Vessel owners and operators
- Maritime employers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Port authorities
In addition, there are many types of factors that go into contributing to or causing maritime accidents and injuries, such as:
- Unsafe working conditions
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Equipment maintenance failures
- Violations of maritime safety regulations
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment
Why Maritime Cases Require Specialized Legal Knowledge
Maritime injury cases are not like typical personal injury claims. They involve complex jurisdiction issues, as accidents can occur in navigable waters, on offshore platforms, or in shipyards, each subject to different federal and state laws.
Additionally, maritime law has specific statutes of limitations and legal doctrines that govern claims under the Jones Act, LHWCA, and general maritime law. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a legal requirement can jeopardize a claim.
Experienced maritime injury lawyers also understand industry practices and terminology. This knowledge is essential for investigating accidents, proving liability, and negotiating settlements. If you’ve been injured in a maritime accident, you need a lawyer with the knowledge and resources to handle these unique challenges, and Dudley DeBosier can help.
After a Maritime Accident, Contact Us
At Dudley DeBosier, we’re a proud Louisiana law firm. That means we understand the unique industries of our state, including the maritime industry. We know how important this industry is—and how dangerous it can be. We’ve represented many injured maritime workers, and now, we want to help you, too.
You have enough on your mind already, so the last thing you need is an expensive invoice from a law firm. Our consultation is free, and our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay us nothing—no fees, costs, or expenses—unless we get you money. Contact us today to get started on your claim for the compensation you deserve.
