From fishing to recreational boating and commercial maritime operations, Virginians are no strangers to a life on the water. However, the dangers of working and playing on the sea can lead to injury or even death. In these cases, it is important to understand your legal rights and how a maritime lawyer can help you seek compensation for your damages. For legal assistance, contact a Virginia Beach maritime injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Why You Should Work With Bowen Painter After Your Maritime Injury
Maritime laws can be confusing, so it’s important to have a Virginia Beach maritime injury lawyer with the necessary experience. Here’s why Bowen Painter is the right choice:
- We have decades of experience in handling all types of injury claims, including those related to maritime laws.
- Our team will take care of everything from filing paperwork and gathering evidence all the way through obtaining maximum financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages associated with your maritime injury case.
- We will handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf and fight aggressively to make sure all parties involved are held accountable for their actions
Why You Need a Virginia Beach, VA Maritime Lawyer
Hiring a maritime injury lawyer provides numerous benefits. Here’s why you need to work with a Virginia Beach maritime injury attorney:
- Maritime law is nuanced, and it takes an experienced professional to handle these types of cases. Finding someone well versed in this area of law is absolutely crucial to ensure the right steps are taken.
- A lawyer will provide an honest assessment of the case so that you know what to expect.
- They will have extensive knowledge about relevant court decisions that may affect your case.
- They will be able to estimate how much compensation you may receive based on past settlements or awards given in similar cases.
Understanding the Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) are both important maritime laws in the United States, but they serve different purposes and cover different types of workers.
The Jones Act specifically focuses on seamen who are injured while working aboard vessels in navigable waters. This law allows injured workers to file a claim against their employer for negligence, and they can seek compensation for damages such as lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related costs. The Jones Act covers workers who spend a significant amount of their work time on a vessel, contributing to the function or mission of the vessel.
On the other hand, The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is designed to protect land-based maritime workers who are injured while working on U.S. waterways, harbors, or docks. These workers are not considered “seamen” under the Jones Act and include longshore workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, and harbor construction workers, among others.
The LHWCA provides benefits such as wage replacement, medical expenses, and vocational rehabilitation services to injured workers. Unlike the Jones Act, the LHWCA is a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning the worker does not need to prove negligence on the part of their employer to receive benefits.
Contact Virginia Beach Maritime Injury Lawyer With Your Case
Working in or around Virginia’s waters can be dangerous and hazardous, but you don’t have to face injuries alone. A qualified maritime injury lawyer will provide expertise along with dedicated representation throughout the entire legal process so that you get maximum compensation for your losses. Contact a Virginia Beach maritime injury attorney to schedule a free consultation.