Louisiana Maritime Law ~ Finckbeiner & Robin
With ports located in New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma and Thibodaux, large numbers of Louisiana workers obtain employment from the state's maritime industry. If you are a seaman on a boat, work offshore in the oil industry on rigs or platforms, work in the commercial fishing industry, or on a tugboat, barge or oil tanker - it is important you understand that you understand your rights under laws such as the Jones Act, the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, the Death on the High Seas Act or general maritime law.
The Louisiana Maritime Lawyers at Finckbeiner & Robin regularly represent injured offshore workers from cities across the State of Louisiana and offer free consultations to discuss your rights.
If your sustained an injury due to the actions of your ship's captain or a crew member, from a faulty piece of equipment, or a dangerous condition on board a rig or vessel, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, any future medical expenses plus pain and suffering .
Common causes of injury to maritime workers include:
- Careless operation of a vessel, rig/platform or equipment
- Defects on the vessel, rig or platform
- Poorly trained crew workers
- Badly maintained or lack of safety equipment
- Workers failing to follow safety procedures
General maritime law refers to the rights and damages allowed under the common law. General maritime law offers protections to both Jones Act seamen and non-Jones Act seamen injured while in a maritime atmosphere.
Basically, general maritime law allows workers to file claims against third-party individuals (in other words -not your employer) for any negligence that may have contributed to an injury or death.
Also under this law the Jones Act exists to protect offshore workers who become ill or injured while in the service of a vessel. Seamen are entitled under the Jones Act to seek damages from their employer if they are injured while working due to the negligence. The Jones Act provides solid protection to offshore workers by allowing them to seek compensation for ANY negligence or carelessness that resulted in an injury.
You may also have a claim if the vessel you work on is unfit to be at sea due to missing or broken safety equipment, not enough workers to handle the vessel, dangerous or unsafe work areas and even unsafe orders from others in charge.
Regardless of how your injury occurred, it is important that you contact Finckbeiner & Robin for a free consulation about Louisiana maritime law to determine your rights and the proper course of action.
