Maritime Accidents
Battle-Tested Advocacy for the Injured
Baton Rouge Maritime Accident Injury Attorneys
Maritime accidents are a common occurrence in ports, harbors, waterways, and oceans around the world. These accidents can cause serious injuries or fatalities to workers, passengers, or bystanders, as well as significant damage to vessels, cargo, or the environment.
Maritime accidents can be caused by numerous factors, including human error, equipment malfunction, weather conditions, navigation hazards, or environmental risks. When these factors combine or overlap, the likelihood and severity of a maritime accident increase.
At Joubert Law Firm, our team understands how accidents can devastate individuals and their families, whether they work on land or offshore. However, injury accidents that occur at sea fall under maritime law, also known as admiralty law. This means that, if you have suffered injuries in the waters in and around our state, you will need an attorney who understands these distinct and applicable laws and how to help you secure the fair compensation you deserve. With decades of experience serving Louisiana clients in all types of personal injury cases, our firm has the knowledge, resources, and skills you need.
Maritime law is a specialized branch of law that governs the commercial activity and navigation of ships and vessels on the high seas, coastal waters, and inland waterways. This area of law deals with various legal issues related to maritime commerce and transportation and applies to a wide range of actors in the maritime industry, including ship owners, operators, crew members, passengers, cargo shippers, insurers, salvage companies, and governments.
This complex area of law plays a critical role in regulating and resolving conflicts that arise among parties involved in maritime activities. This includes safety standards and personal injury. Therefore, an attorney experienced in these laws is essential for anyone who wishes to resolve a maritime issue.
Examples of maritime law include:
The Jones Act. This law provides seamen with a remedy for their losses and injuries as well as incentives for employers to maintain safe and seaworthy vessels.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. This is a federal law that provides benefits to maritime workers who are not seamen, such as longshoremen, stevedores, harbor workers, and ship repairers. It is designed to provide compensation and medical benefits to these workers who are injured or become ill while performing their job duties on or near navigable waters.
Maritime Accidents in Louisiana
Maritime accidents can be caused by various factors and can occur in different contexts, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities to workers, passengers, or bystanders.
Examples of maritime accidents that can cause injuries:
Slip and falls: Wet surfaces, irregular decks, or inadequate lighting can cause workers or passengers to lose their footing and fall, resulting in head injuries, fractures, or sprains.
Machinery accidents: Inadequate maintenance, poor training, or equipment malfunction can cause workers to get caught in machinery, crushed by cargo, or burned.
Crane or rigging accidents: Defective, improperly operated, or designed cranes, hoists, or rigging can cause workers to be struck, crushed, or electrocuted.
Collisions: Failure to maintain proper lookout or follow safe navigation rules can cause vessels to collide with each other or with stationary objects.
Fires and explosions: Fuel leaks, electrical malfunctions, or cargo fires can cause vessels to erupt in flames or explosions.
Toxic exposure: Exposure to hazardous substances such as chemicals, gases, or fumes can cause workers or passengers to suffer respiratory problems, skin irritation, or other health issues.
Capsizing or sinking: Storms, rough seas, or overloading can cause vessels to capsize or sink, resulting in drowning or other fatal injuries.
Maritime accidents can result in various types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, burns, drowning, hypothermia, or toxic exposure. The severity and duration of these injuries can vary depending on factors such as the nature and extent of the accident, the age and health of the victim, and the availability and quality of medical care. Some injuries may not manifest immediately after the accident but may develop over time due to gradual or cumulative trauma, such as repetitive stress injuries or hearing loss.
Negligence in Maritime Accidents
As in other employment or life, some maritime accidents are just that: accidents. However, in many cases, negligence on the part of one or more parties is the underlying cause.
Negligence can include poor maintenance of equipment, improper training of workers, trip hazards on decks and docks, lack of proper safety protocols or their enforcement, and more.
What Damages Can Be Pursued in Maritime Accidents?
Damages that can be pursued in maritime accidents include economic and non-economic losses, such as:
Medical expenses
Lost income/wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disability
Disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of future earning capacity
Damages can also include punitive or exemplary damages, which are meant to punish the defendant for egregious or reckless conduct, as well as deter others from similar conduct. The amount and type of damages that can be awarded depend on various factors, such as the nature and extent of the injuries, the degree of fault or negligence of each party, and the applicable laws and precedents.
Put Experience & Advocacy to Work for You
Navigating the complex field of maritime law calls for the professional services of an experienced attorney. Our capable team can assist by identifying the liable parties, gathering crucial evidence, negotiating a settlement, or litigating your case in court. We are here to provide you with legal advice, strong advocacy, and skilled representation aimed at securing the compensation needed for your physical, emotional, and financial recovery and well-being.
“Johnny went above & beyond to help me in a very difficult time. If you need someone to advocate for you, he’s the one to call! So thankful for him & how he handled a case I thought was impossible to help. Give him a call!”
