Jacksonville Maritime Injury Lawyer
In the United States, there are legal protections for people who have been injured in accidents on or near navigable waters. These laws provide a method of compensation for those affected and is known as maritime law (also known as admiralty law). If you need legal help after experiencing an injury, we can help. Contact Bowen Painter personal injury attorney to schedule a free consultation.
Why Hire Bowen Painter For Your Maritime Injury Case
If you have been injured on the job in a maritime setting, you may be wondering who to turn to for legal help. It is important to find an experienced Jacksonville maritime injury lawyer who is familiar with both state personal injury and federal maritime laws, and who will fight hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to get back to work. Let Bowen Painter help you.
- Our firm has been practicing this type of law for decades and our team is well-versed in all aspects of maritime law and complex litigation procedures related to these types of cases.
- It doesn’t matter how much experience an attorney has if they don’t have success backing up their work history—which is why it is important to note that we have achieved successful outcomes in 95% of our cases.
- We always have access to resources such as investigators and expert witnesses who can provide valuable insights into complex matters related to your maritime injury case.
Why You Need a Maritime Injury Lawyer
A Jacksonville maritime injury attorney will review your case and determine if you’re considered a seaman, which is important because seamen have different rights than other workers, including additional legal protections in cases involving injuries. Your lawyer will assess what type of claim should be filed and will gather evidence to prove your claim.
They will take care of all paperwork and ensure that all deadlines are met. Finally, they will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or represent you in court if necessary.
What You Need to Know About the Jones Act and Maritime Law
If you’ve been injured while working in navigable waters, you may be entitled to damages under the Jones Act and other maritime laws. The Jones Act is a federal law that protects seamen who are injured while on duty. It allows them to file personal injury lawsuits against their employer if they were hurt due to employer negligence.
In addition to the protections offered by the Jones Act, seamen can be compensated for their injuries by showing that their vessel was unseaworthy: “A vessel is unseaworthy if the vessel, or any of its parts or equipment, is not reasonably fit for its intended purpose [or if its crew is not reasonably adequate or competent to perform the work assigned].”
Compensation can be collected in this case even if their employer wasn’t negligent:
“ On the plaintiff’s unseaworthiness claim, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:
- the plaintiff was a seaman;
- the [name of vessel] was unseaworthy; and
- the unseaworthy condition was a cause of an injury or damage to the plaintiff.
Contact a Jacksonville Maritime Injury Lawyer For Help With Your Claim
If you have questions about your rights under maritime law or would like more information about filing a claim against your employer, we can help. Contact a Jacksonville maritime injury attorney to schedule a free consultation.