Lake Charles Maritime Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured while working on the water, understanding how maritime law affects your case is essential. Maritime law, or admiralty law, is a complex branch of the legal system governing private maritime business and other nautical matters. If you need help after any type of injury, contact a Bowen Painter personal injury lawyer 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, it is important to find an experienced lawyer who is familiar with both state personal injury and federal maritime laws. Here’s why you should hire Bowen Painter for your case:
- Our Lake Charles maritime injury lawyers are experienced in all aspects of maritime law and understand how complex these cases can be.
- When you hire us, you can expect personalized attention every step of the way. Our team of attorneys will review your case thoroughly and provide advice tailored specifically to your situation.
- We are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your claim, so you’ll never be in the dark about what’s going on.
Why You Need a Maritime Injury Lawyer
When seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a maritime accident, the first step should be to hire an experienced maritime attorney. While technically any lawyer can practice maritime law, it’s crucial to have one who specializes in this area. Maritime lawyers are experts in their field and are familiar with all applicable laws and regulations.
A Lake Charles maritime injury attorney will be able to help you determine the extent of your injuries and calculate what you should be entitled to under these laws. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, or disability benefits.
Another benefit of having an experienced attorney by your side is that they will investigate the claim thoroughly to prove causation between your injury and negligence on someone else’s part. This may include collecting witness statements or gathering medical records from hospitals or specialists who treated you after being injured in the accident.
Types of Cases Covered by Maritime Law
Maritime law covers any situation that occurs on – or because of a person’s work that takes place on – navigable waters (including oceans, rivers, lakes, and bays). It applies in cases involving recreational vessels as well as commercial ships like cruise ships and cargo vessels. This type of law also applies in cases involving offshore work such as drilling rigs and platforms
Understanding The Jones Act and The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Many people injured on the waters are entitled to compensation under The Jones Act or The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Both of these acts provide different levels of protection for workers who are injured during maritime work.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act covers seamen, masters, or crew members who are injured while working on a vessel in navigable waters of the United States. Under this act, a seaman is entitled to recover damages from their employer if their injury was caused by negligence or unseaworthiness of the vessel they were working on:
“A seaman injured in the course of employment or, if the seaman dies from the injury, the personal representative of the seaman may elect to bring a civil action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer.”
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The LHWCA provides protection for workers who are not crew members but who work on navigable waters. For example, it applies to dock workers, shipbuilders/repairmen/breakers, harbor construction workers, cargo handlers, and longshoremen. Unlike with the Jones Act where damages must be proven through negligence or unseaworthiness claims, under this act, employees need to show that their injury occurred at work.
Contact a Lake Charles Maritime Injury Lawyer For Help With Your Claim
Understanding what maritime law applies to your situation is essential when seeking compensation for injuries sustained during maritime-related activities. For help after an injury, contact a Lake Charles maritime injury attorney to schedule a free consultation.