The Jones Act is a federal law that gives injured seamen the right to sue their employer for negligence. If you qualify as a seaman — spending a significant portion of your work time aboard a vessel or fleet of vessels in navigation — you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Jones Act claims carry a three-year statute of limitations. Our New Orleans attorneys know how to build a powerful Jones Act case on your behalf. Learn more about your rights as a Jones Act seaman.

Under general maritime law, vessel owners have an absolute duty to maintain a seaworthy vessel — one that is reasonably fit for its intended purpose with a competent crew and safe equipment. When a vessel operating in or out of New Orleans is deemed unseaworthy and a seaman is injured as a result, the vessel owner may be held liable regardless of negligence. Our attorneys evaluate every unseaworthiness claim and pursue the full range of available damages.

Regardless of fault, injured seamen are entitled to maintenance and cure from their employer — a daily living allowance (maintenance) and payment of medical expenses (cure) until they reach maximum medical improvement. When New Orleans area employers fail to pay maintenance and cure promptly or attempt to terminate it prematurely, they may be liable for additional damages including attorney’s fees. We fight to make sure you receive every dollar you are owed.

Dock workers, shipbuilders, and other maritime workers at the Port of New Orleans and surrounding facilities who do not qualify as seamen may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. The LHWCA provides compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, and in some cases allows injured workers to pursue third-party negligence claims against vessel owners or equipment manufacturers. Our attorneys help you understand your rights and pursue every available avenue of recovery.

Oil platforms and drilling rigs operating in the Gulf of Mexico out of New Orleans are among the most dangerous workplaces in the country. Falls from heights, explosions, fires, equipment failures, and chemical exposures are all common causes of serious injury. When an accident results from an employer’s negligence, unsafe equipment, or inadequate safety protocols, our attorneys pursue full compensation for every loss you have suffered.

Collisions, capsizings, and other vessel accidents on the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, and in the Gulf of Mexico can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Depending on where the accident occurred and the nature of your employment, your rights may be governed by the Jones Act, general maritime law, or state law. Our New Orleans attorneys evaluate the specific facts of your case to identify every available claim.

Cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery are a constant presence on offshore platforms, vessels, and port facilities throughout New Orleans — and a frequent source of serious injury. Liability may fall on the equipment operator’s employer, the facility owner, or the equipment manufacturer. Our attorneys pursue full compensation from every responsible party.

Offshore and maritime workers throughout the New Orleans area are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals, toxic fumes, and carcinogenic substances including benzene and hydrogen sulfide. Long-term exposure can cause cancer, respiratory disease, and neurological damage. Our attorneys handle toxic exposure and occupational illness claims and work with medical experts to document the full extent of your health-related losses.

When an offshore worker loses their life due to the negligence of an employer, vessel owner, or equipment manufacturer, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death or Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) claim. Our New Orleans attorneys handle these sensitive cases with care and fight to hold every responsible party fully accountable for the loss of your loved one.

Deadlines vary depending on which law applies. Jones Act negligence claims must be filed within three years of the injury. General maritime unseaworthiness claims also carry a three-year deadline. Some claims have shorter deadlines. Contact an attorney immediately after your injury to protect your rights — do not wait.

To qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you generally must spend a significant portion of your work time — courts typically look at 30% or more — aboard a vessel or fleet of vessels in navigation, and your work must contribute to the function or mission of the vessel. If you work on a fixed platform, you may be covered under the OCSLA or LHWCA instead. Our attorneys evaluate your specific work situation to determine which laws apply and which claims are available to you.

Maintenance and cure is a right available to injured seamen regardless of fault. Maintenance is a daily stipend to cover living expenses while you are unable to work. Cure is your employer’s obligation to pay for medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement. If your employer is withholding or delaying maintenance and cure, contact us immediately — failure to pay can result in additional penalties against your employer.

Most offshore workers are not covered by standard Louisiana workers’ compensation. Depending on your job and work location, you may have significantly broader rights under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or the LHWCA — rights that can result in much greater compensation than a standard workers’ comp claim. Do not assume workers’ compensation is your only option before speaking with a maritime attorney.

Nothing upfront. Our offshore accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. No upfront costs, no hourly fees, no out-of-pocket expenses.

Federal maritime law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file Jones Act or other maritime injury claims. If you have experienced retaliation — termination, demotion, or harassment — after reporting an injury or filing a claim, contact our attorneys immediately. You may have additional claims against your employer for unlawful retaliation.

Report the injury to your supervisor immediately and insist on a written incident report. Seek medical attention right away. Document the scene with photos if possible and get the names of any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to your employer’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies are trained to use your own words against you. Contact Mansfield Melancon as soon as possible so we can protect your rights from day one.