The Jones Act gives seamen — workers who spend a significant portion of their time working on a vessel in navigation — the right to sue their employer for negligence. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, Jones Act claims allow for pain and suffering, lost wages, and future damages. Vessel owners also have a separate duty to provide an unseaworthy vessel, which creates an additional avenue for recovery. If you qualify as a seaman, the Jones Act is one of the most powerful legal tools available to you.

Dock workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, and other maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen may be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. LHWCA provides compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, and in some cases allows for third-party negligence claims beyond the basic benefits. Knowing which law applies to your situation — and how to maximize your recovery under it — requires an attorney who handles these cases regularly.

Workers on fixed offshore platforms may be covered by different laws than those on vessels — often a combination of state law, federal law, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Accidents on platforms involve the same serious hazards as oilfield work on land: explosions, fires, falls, equipment failures, and chemical exposure. Our attorneys are experienced with both the maritime and oilfield sides of these claims.

Collisions between vessels on Louisiana’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters can cause severe injuries and fatalities. Liability may fall on vessel operators, owners, employers, or third parties depending on the facts. General maritime law governs most vessel collision claims, and the rules around damages and fault differ meaningfully from standard Louisiana personal injury law.

Loading and unloading cargo, operating heavy equipment, and working around ships in Louisiana’s busy ports creates significant injury risks. Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, falling cargo, and unsafe dock conditions are unfortunately common. Depending on the injured worker’s role, LHWCA, general maritime law, or state law may apply.

Offshore workers in Louisiana are routinely transported by helicopter and crew boat to platforms and vessels. Accidents during this transportation — whether a helicopter crash, a crew boat collision, or a boarding accident — can give rise to serious maritime injury claims. The applicable law depends on the type of vessel or aircraft involved and the nature of the work being performed.

The answer depends on where you were working, what kind of vessel or structure was involved, and the nature of your job. Seamen on vessels in navigation are typically covered by the Jones Act. Dock and port workers are often covered by the LHWCA. Workers on fixed offshore platforms may fall under OCSLA. Some workers have claims under multiple frameworks. This is exactly why maritime injury cases require a specialized attorney — the wrong legal theory can cost you significant compensation. We evaluate your specific situation to determine every applicable law and maximize your recovery.

Deadlines vary depending on the law that governs your claim. Jones Act claims generally carry a three-year statute of limitations. General maritime law claims may have a three-year period as well, though some vessel-related claims have shorter deadlines written into passenger tickets or contracts. LHWCA claims have their own filing requirements. Do not assume you have time — contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Maintenance and cure is a remedy available specifically to injured seamen under general maritime law. Maintenance covers your daily living expenses — think of it as a daily stipend — while cure covers reasonable medical expenses related to your injury, both payable by your employer regardless of fault. Vessel owners who fail to pay maintenance and cure promptly can face additional penalties. This is separate from, and in addition to, any Jones Act negligence or unseaworthiness claim you may have.

Yes. Vessel owners have an absolute duty under maritime law to provide a seaworthy vessel — one that is reasonably fit for its intended purpose with adequate equipment, crew, and safety measures. If unsafe conditions on the vessel contributed to your injury, you may have an unseaworthiness claim in addition to any Jones Act negligence claim. These are separate theories of liability, and pursuing both can significantly increase your recovery.

Maritime law applies a pure comparative fault standard, similar to Louisiana’s comparative fault rules. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. Vessel owners and maritime employers routinely try to shift blame onto the injured worker to reduce what they owe. Our attorneys know these tactics and fight back on your behalf.