New Orleans Maritime Lawyers handle a specific case set that other lawyers do not. They are experienced in cases involving maritime (sometimes called admiralty) law.
The day to day cases of maritime lawyers typically involve things like boat collisions or personal injuries that occur while performing the duties of one’s job. They deal with cases involving navigable waterways, such as canals, seas, oceans, and rivers. Also falling under maritime law are accidents involving commercial, pleasure, or recreational vehicles, as well as offshore oil and gas rigs, and the nation’s many ports.
Jones Act
New Orleans maritime lawyers handle claims involving the Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. If a seaman is injured while working aboard a vessel and the injury is due to negligence, he or she may be eligible for a claim under the Jones Act.
A maintenance and cure claim is another type of claim that falls under the Jones Act. When a serious injury or illness occurs while a seaman is working aboard a ship, maintenance payments cover his daily costs of living while recovering. Cure payments cover the medical expenses associated with the injury or illness.
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Comp Act?
The Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Comp Act, called LHWCA for short, is an act that protects anyone injured or killed during maritime work at a port. These workers often include longshoremen, dockworkers, stevedores, and more.
The LHWCA covers medical costs and disability payments, in addition to any costs associated with rehabilitation due to an injury. Families of workers killed on the job may also be given a death benefit.
Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
New Orleans maritime lawyers are trained to handle claims under a maritime law often known as the DOHSA. The Death on the High Seas Act protects maritime workers who have died at sea, including aviation accidents more than 12 nautical miles offshore, as a result of negligence by another.
The benefits available under this act are paid out to individuals who were dependent upon the deceased; spouse, children, and other dependent relatives. It provides benefits based on cost of living, giving the families a total benefit based on the amount of time the seaman would have lived multiplied by his hourly wage.
General maritime law covers claims that do not fall under the umbrella of one of the acts listed above.
A Maritime Attorney Can Help
New Orleans maritime lawyers have an important role in protecting the lives and families of maritime workers. These lawyers handle a large number of cases, as accident and injury are unfortunately common when dealing with maritime work.
If you’ve suffered an injury while employed as a maritime worker, The Lambert Firm’s New Orleans Jones Act attorneys can help. Call today to schedule a consultation with one of their experienced New Orleans personal injury attorneys.
This article is copyright free.