New Orleans Maritime Lawyers
The Gulf Coast provides employment to many people, who work on the docks or offshore. New Orleans is the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States, and there are, in general, roughly 70 to 100 active oil rigs in the waters off Louisiana’s coast.
Within this booming industry, Maritime accidents are common. The Jones Act is an important piece of legislation for maritime workers seeking justice in the face of negligent work conditions or other accidents.
The Jones Act (originally called the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and sometimes referred to as the Death on the High Seas Act) is a federal law that defines maritime commerce legislation in the United States. If a maritime worker is injured or dead for the negligence of employers or other personnel, the worker can claim under the Jones Act, 46 U.S. Code § 30104.
For example, one of our clients at Breaux Law Firm was a longshoreman who was injured while working on a dock when an improperly welded metal plate struck him in the head, resulting in neck injuries that required surgery.
Our devoted admiralty lawyers were able to successfully recover both past and future lost wages for our client, at a total of $950,000.
It has been possible to get results because New Orleans Maritime Lawyer of Breaux Law Firm has 30 years of experience in helping seaman and maritime workers with success.
Maritime accidents are complex, but an established admiralty attorney can help you understand how your injury is classified and how best to proceed.
Who Is a “Longshoreman” ?
A longshoreman also called a stevedore or dock worker is a worker who loads and unloads freight from cargo ships to docks. While seamen are covered for workplace injuries under the Jones Act, longshoremen are generally covered by the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
Who Is a “Seaman” ?
According to the Jones Act, a “seaman” is anyone who spends a significant amount of on-the-clock working time aboard a seafaring vessel in navigation, and whose work contributes to the function of the vessel. The term encompasses many offshore roles. In Louisiana, the following are all considered seamen:
- Crew members
- Boat captains
- Cruise ship entertainers
- Engineers
- Deckhands
- Fish processors
- Cooks
- Boat maintenance staff
However, unlike most other jobs, injured seamen are not eligible to receive workers’ compensation. Fortunately, under the Jones Act, maritime employees have the right to take legal action and file lawsuits against ship owners who display negligence or unseaworthiness.
At Breaux Law Firm, our maritime lawyers work hard to stay up to date on maritime law and pay close attention to the ins and outs of Louisiana law when it comes to maritime accidents, work-related accidents, offshore accidents, and boating accidents.
If you’ve been injured while working offshore or on a dock, don’t wait! Call Breaux Law Firm for a free consultation; we’ll fight hard to get you the medical attention and the compensation that you deserve.
What To Do
Hiring a New Orleans Maritime Lawyer
With over 35 years of experience, we at Breaux Law Firm understand how to navigate the world of claims in New Orleans and Louisiana. You can rest assured that your maritime injury case will be handled with the utmost respect and priority to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to as quickly as possible. Our job is to get you the maximum payout you are due. We’re here to protect your rights.
By hiring a New Orleans maritime lawyer from a trusted law firm to represent you and your case, you can put your mind at ease; this will allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let us do the paperwork, deal with the involved parties & insurance companies and get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Us
If you or someone you know has been injured in a maritime accident, the admiralty attorneys at Breaux Law Firm are the best option for you, and here’s why:
- Having been in business for over three decades, we’re highly experienced and well versed in personal injury law, no matter how complicated the case may be.
- We’re a family-run business dedicated to our clients, their well-being, and their cases. We believe in holding responsible parties accountable and getting the compensation our clients deserve.
- Our firm has a policy of open communication and responsiveness. We’re always available to discuss your case when you need to, and we can explain any detail you want to know.
- Our reputation as a trustworthy personal injury law firm speaks for itself. We fight for you as if we were fighting for one of our own family members.
Being in a maritime accident is scary enough, and dealing with the aftermath can be exhausting. Getting back on your feet should be hassle-free. If you call us and we determine, together, that you have a case, we’ll immediately begin fighting on your behalf to make the responsible parties do what is right. We do not stop fighting for you until you receive all you’re owed.
By hiring Breaux Law Firm to represent you for your maritime accident, you can expect a clear legal explanation of your case and an honest assessment of the case’s merits. Our New Orleans maritime accident lawyer can help you get through this difficult time and ensure you’re taken care of emotionally, physically, and financially.
What Next
Resolve Your Maritime Claim With One Call!
According to Louisiana (La.) Civil Code 3492, the statute of limitations applicable to personal injury claims is one year from the date of the accident, so don’t wait! If the suit is filed after the deadline, it can be dismissed.
However, it’s always a good idea to seek legal advice, as there are exceptions in which the statute of limitations may be halted and the deadline for filing a claim extended.
Although filing claims or reliving traumatic experiences can be overwhelming, moving towards the compensation you are due is the right thing for you and your family. You’re not alone in this fight. The qualified New Orleans Maritime Lawyers of Breaux Law Firm are just a phone call away. Let us handle your case and get you what you deserve.