Putting Maritime Law to Work for Injured Seamen
Claims for injury or death related to work at sea are usually covered by the Jones Act, a federal statute that defines the rights of maritime accident victims who were injured in the course of their employment. Many Jones Act cases involve injuries suffered on the high seas and fall under the federal admiralty jurisdiction. In some cases, however, the state law of Texas or Louisiana will be available to protect an injured seaman's interests.
At the law firm of Bernard & Hart, our experience with maritime law and the claims of seamen injured on ships, barges or harbor craft can help you get the most out of your legal rights. To learn about our experience with Jones Act litigation, contact us for a free consultation in Lafayette, Louisiana, or Orange, Texas.
Consult with a maritime law attorney - call 888-427-8656
Our ability to evaluate maritime injury claims under the Jones Act and state personal injury law represents an important advantage for our clients. While the proof of negligence against one or more defendants and the value of your losses will involve similar work whether you're in state or federal court, factors such as jurisdiction over a defendant, coverage of your medical and living expenses while your claims are pending, or even the nature of the insurance coverage that might apply to your claim can all affect the strategic decision of where to file your lawsuit.
Our experience with negligence and unseaworthiness claims against vessel operators and owners often indicates that a federal Jones Act case will offer the greatest advantages for our client. Examples of the kinds of maritime injury cases we can handle include:
- Injuries aboard tour boats or cruise ships
- Commercial shrimping or oyster boat accidents
- Injuries suffered in transit to or from offshore platforms, including plane or helicopter accidents at sea
- River barge accidents
- Collisions in harbors
- Diving accidents during salvage operations, platform maintenance or vessel repair below the waterline
For a free consultation with an experienced maritime lawyer, contact either of Bernard & Hart's offices in Lafayette, Louisiana, or Orange, Texas.
