New Orleans maritime lawyers are trained to handle cases involving maritime law, which is sometimes called admiralty law. Maritime law requires lawyers that possess a different skill set than those provided by other lawyers.
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
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 is commonly known as the Jones Act and deals with a seaman injured due to negligence while working aboard a vessel. He or she may be eligible for a claim under the Jones Act and should contact a New Orleans maritime lawyer.
Another type of claim that falls under the Jones act is a maintenance and cure claim, which involves serious injury or illness while working aboard a ship. Maintenance refers to money paid to the injured seaman for the daily costs of living while recovering, and cure refers to payment for medical expenses associated with the injury or illness.
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Comp Act?
Most laborers, including longshoremen, dockworkers and stevedores, who are injured or killed during maritime work at a port are protected by what’s known as the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Comp Act, or LHWCA for short.
Families of workers killed on the job may receive benefits, but for the most part the LHWCA covers medical costs and disability payments. It also covers any costs associated with rehabilitation due to an injury.
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.
Claims that do not fall under the Jones Act, the LHWCA, or DOHSA may still be filed under general maritime law.
Get Help Today
The lives and families of maritime workers are protected by New Orleans maritime lawyers. They handle a large number of cases, as accidents and injuries 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 maritime lawyers can help. Call today to schedule a consultation with one of their experienced New Orleans accident attorney.