Compared to other professions, marine workers have some of the highest risks of suffering workplace injury. The risks that seafarers and other nautical employees experience are recognized under maritime law. When they are hurt or suffer from a work-related illness as a result of the negligence of their employers or the owner-operator of their vessel, the law gives them the right to pursue significant compensation and benefits.
The Houston marine injury attorneys have fought for maximum recompense for our injured clients for more than 25 years. We are aware of the challenges faced by accident victims seeking compensation from large firms and their insurance providers. Because of this, we use a small firm strategy. In order to offer you and your case the full attention and effort you deserve, we restrict the number of cases we accept.
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| Maritime injury lawyer |
In every case we handle, we draw on our broad expertise and experience. The founding attorney has a background in engineering and has earned board certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law. You can put your trust in the fact that we can manage even the trickiest offshore accident injury cases.
Find out more about the benefits and compensation to which you may be entitled as a result of your injury. To schedule a free initial case review with a Houston maritime law firm, get in touch with our company right away.
What is Maritime Law?
Laws enacted to safeguard maritime employees in the case of accident or death are referred to as maritime laws. They were developed to make responsible parties accountable for any injuries or fatalities brought on by employer negligence or other similar events.I'll focus on the three that have the greatest bearing on maritime injuries in this article: Jones Act claims, Longshore claims, and Death on High Seas Act claims.
What Is a Maritime Injury?
When a ship's crew member sustains an injury while the ship is in navigable U.S. water, the incident is referred to as a maritime injury. Maritime employees are not eligible for typical workers' compensation, but they do have legal options for pursuing reimbursement for injuries sustained on the job. The Jones Act or maritime law may be used to seek compensation for the worker.
Any workplace disaster can leave a painful and stressful wake, but marine workers face especially formidable obstacles. Along with being far riskier than most other professions and frequently leading to catastrophic injuries, the legal process for receiving compensation for naval personnel is also significantly more onerous and convoluted.
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| Maritime injury lawyer |
Injured maritime workers must speak with our naval injury attorneys who have experience handling these claims successfully because the Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act regulate workplace accident claims in the industry. You can get aid from our maritime injury attorneys.
Hofmann & Schweitzer is incredibly proud of its outstanding reputation in maritime damage lawsuits. We have a remarkable track record of successful verdicts and settlements won for our clients in maritime injury claims after more than 35 years of experience representing clients in New York and across the nation.
What Counts as a Maritime Injury?
Sadly, marine accidents and injuries are relatively frequent because the maritime industry is a high-risk one. But just because they happen frequently doesn't mean that they can't be avoided or helped. Employers have a duty to ensure a safe working environment for their employees, and if they don't, they are responsible for any accidents or injuries that take place.If you have sustained any of the following injuries, you may be eligible for compensation and benefits:
Lack of equipment or safety measures
You might be eligible for compensation if any of these factors contributed to your accident. By knowing what kinds of injuries are covered, and knowing why the damage occurred, you can determine when to seek a maritime injury lawyer.
- Slips
- Falls
- Collisions
- Toxic burns
- Inhalation
- Fishing and diving mishaps
- Pollution
- Falling things
- Faulty or damaged equipment
- Wet work areas
- Absence of mandatory safety training
- Zero ventilation
- Coils of cable
Lack of equipment or safety measures
You might be eligible for compensation if any of these factors contributed to your accident. By knowing what kinds of injuries are covered, and knowing why the damage occurred, you can determine when to seek a maritime injury lawyer.
Our Maritime Injury Lawyers Represent Workers in New York, Nationwide And New Jersey?
Many different jobs, both on land and in the water, can be classified as maritime occupations. Our maritime lawyers at Hofmann & Schweitzer are committed to defending the rights of all maritime workers hurt at sea, on the docks in New York, in our country's harbors, and on interior waterways.Among the injured maritime personnel we frequently represent are:
- Seamen
- Fishermen
- Shipbuilders
- Longshoremen
- Cruise ship personnel (and passengers)
- Port personnel
- Harbor personnel
Understanding How Maritime Law Affects You?
Many maritime injury lawsuits in the US are impacted by two primary pieces of legislation. The rights of people who work on the ocean or inland jobs that are closely related to offshore commerce are expressly covered by these regulations.We stand up for clients in cases involving both of the crucial maritime injury laws:
Jones Act claims
The Jones Act applies to those who reside and/or work on ships. This can apply to ships, offshore oil rigs, and other seagoing vessels. Determining whether you fall under the legal definition of a "seaman" and are therefore entitled to protection under the Jones Act may be difficult depending on the specific work that you do.Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims?
These claims are to people who are employed in the marine sector but who are not seafarers operating a ship at sea. This typically includes people who maintain docks, repair ships, or perform comparable on-land labor with boats.Read more...
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Understanding Maritime Law
There are numerous different federal statutes that govern maritime matters. These statutes grant injured seafarers the right to seek compensation when their injuries are the result of the carelessness of employers or vessel/facility owners and operators:- Injuries on land
- Injuries in the harbor
- Injuries in navigable waters
Injuries on land
The Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act typically provides coverage for injuries sustained by maritime workers at shore-based maritime facilities like ports, cargo facilities, and drydocks.Injuries in the harbor
The Jones Act or the Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act may be applicable, depending on the specifics of the accident and the wounded worker.Injuries in navigable waters
The Jones Act typically provides coverage for injuries to marine workers that take place on American waterways that are navigable. The Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act typically includes statutory extensions that provide coverage for injuries suffered by employees of sea-based operations, such as offshore drilling platforms.The type of vessel the maritime worker was on when he was hurt determines the number of exceptions to these general guidelines.
What do You need to Know About a Maritime Injury Lawyer?
It's crucial to work with a maritime injury attorney who is familiar with these regulations because they differ from land laws. If you do, they will fight for you and assist you in receiving any compensation to which you are entitled. |
| Maritime injury lawyer |
It's crucial to be aware that they can assist a range of parties involved in offshore accidents, including merchant seamen, cargo ship crew members, and the loved ones of those who were hurt or killed.
Protect Your Rights After a Maritime Injury - Do's and Don’ts
Maritime employees erroneously believe that their employers and insurance firms will provide advise and direction after an accident. However, such organizations simply have their own financial interests in mind, therefore they will stop at nothing to minimize or even reject your claim.Read More: Cobra insurance
Workers who have been hurt should act as soon as possible to safeguard their legal rights and maintain their claims. To that purpose, DO:
Get Help
Get medical attention for your wounds. To keep your memory sharp, jot down every detail you can recall about the events leading up to your accident and injuries.Call an experienced maritime injury lawyer?
Frequently, injured workers unintentionally say or do things that can seriously and permanently harm their claim. DO NOT: If you were hurt in a maritime accident.- Sign documents without seeking legal counsel on a maritime injury.
- Make an audio statement.
- Postpone going to the doctor.
- Before speaking with a marine injury attorney, reach a settlement.
- Allow your employer to push you into returning to work before you're prepared.
- Don't take too long to report a maritime accident.
We'll Fight for Your Full Compensation With Our Maritime Injury Attorneys?
You have the right to cooperate with our New York maritime attorneys, among other rights. We have the skills and expertise to safeguard your rights and guarantee that you receive full payment for your injuries. Allow us to walk you through the process.Read More: wedding insurance
You owe it to yourself to consult with the knowledgeable maritime injury attorneys at Hofmann & Schweitzer to learn more about your legal options following a maritime injury. Despite being based in New York, our maritime injury attorneys frequently represent clients all over the country.
Legal Remedies for Maritime Injuries
A seaman who sustains losses has a number of possibilities for pursuing a claim for compensation. They can seek redress under the Jones Act or basic maritime law. They had the option of bringing a civil lawsuit in either a state or federal court.