During times like these, it is of the utmost importance to know your rights as a maritime worker. In our country, seamen are wards of the court, which means they enjoy special protections because of their exposure to the perils of the sea and dangers of performing their duties so far from their homes for extended periods of time and having to rely on their employers to provide a safe place to work.
Our maritime laws protect offshore workers and other maritime workers after accidents and injuries. However, maritime law can be heavily detailed and challenging to navigate. If you are the victim of maritime accident or injury, whether offshore injury, inland push boat or a midstream transfer operation on the river, contact Lambert Zainey today. We can provide you with the help of our experienced New Orleans maritime law lawyers.
Injury Protection Acts for Maritime Workers
Our maritime law lawyers help injured workers pursue their legal rights using all available laws. The following acts exist to protect maritime workers in the event of maritime injuries or accidents:
This law gives crewmembers of a vessel the right to recover for injuries caused by the unseaworthiness of a vessel, and the right to receive medical and living expenses in the form of maintenance and cure payments.
This law provides additional rights to seamen against their employers in addition to those already provided by General Maritime Law. Any injury or accident that is the result of employer negligence is covered under the Jones Act.
Under this act, also known as the LHWCA, prompt and proper payment of worker’s compensation benefits for offshore workers are enforced. Compensation for lost wages, rehabilitation services, survivor benefits and medical expenses for death or injuries during employment are covered by the LHWCA.
Learn more about the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
When maritime or aviation workers are killed by negligence or wrongful acts aboard a vessel more than 12 nautical miles away from U.S. shores, compensation for families is covered by the Death on the High Seas Act, or the DOHSA. Funeral expenses and damages for the nurturing dependent children, financial contribution, and loss of household services are eligible for compensation beneath this act.
Any offshore worker who is injured or died while working in the Outer Continental Shelf is covered by this act, also known as the OCSLA. It enforces the payment of disability benefits, rehabilitation costs, and medical expenses for these workers.
Nationally Recognized Maritime Law Lawyers
Offshore Injury and Maritime Workers Rights
It’s important to know your rights and the types of offshore accidents as a maritime worker.
- Types of Offshore Accidents – Chemical exposure, explosion, and slip and fall are a few of the many accidents that can cause injury or death.
- Offshore Injury Rights – Do you know your rights if you are injured offshore? The right to medical care of your choosing and the right to consult with experienced maritime law lawyers should be utilized as soon as possible after an offshore accident or injury.
Over $1 Billion Recovered For Our Injured Clients
Talk to our New Orleans Maritime Law Lawyers
Offshore injuries while working a maritime job can be stressful, and navigating maritime law is no easy task. Since it was founded by Hugh Lambert in 1978, Lambert Zainey has represented thousands of injured maritime workers.
Hugh Lambert has been representing injured maritime workers even before then and represents over 40 years of maritime law experience. We can provide valuable insight and will pursue your maritime claim with diligence, protecting you and your rights.
Call us today to schedule an initial consultation with knowledgeable New Orleans maritime law lawyers. The best thing you can do after a maritime injury on the job is to find representation from an experienced attorney at Lambert Zainey.