Abbeville Maritime Injury Lawyer

Abbeville Maritime Injury Attorney

Abbeville is an important part of trade in the Gulf of Mexico thanks to the Freshwater Bayou Deepwater Channel. There are lots of maritime workers in the area, and they are all at risk of injury. An Abbeville maritime injury lawyer can represent you if an injury happens.

Experienced Maritime Injury Lawyers in Abbeville

At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we take care of problems for our clients. Many personal injury victims who suffered harm on a vessel have many hard steps to reach a full recovery. Sanchez Burke, LLC, recognizes this, so our team can handle the legal process while our clients focus on healing.

The Basics of Maritime Injury Law

Maritime injury law is meant to address workplace injuries for people who aren’t covered under traditional workers’ comp. Two main laws apply in these situations: the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

The Jones Act is for people who work on a vessel that actually sails in the water. This can be either the ocean or smaller bodies of water, like the Vermillion River. These people are legally called “seamen.”

To be considered a seaman, you must spend at least 30% of your time on a “navigable vessel.” You might still have to prove negligence, but the standard is considerably less than in a traditional personal injury claim.

The LHWCA is meant for workers who don’t qualify as seamen. This includes people who work on offshore oil rigs or docks. It often includes more financial benefits than other forms of workers’ compensation.

Both laws require people to file very quickly after getting injured. If you have been recently injured due to working in the maritime industry, speak to an attorney to make sure your claim is filed on time.

Common Examples of Maritime Injuries

Sanchez Burke, LLC, sees certain maritime injuries more than others. Some of the most common include:

• Back injuries. These can happen after a fall or due to a mechanical failure on a vessel. Back injuries affect different parts of the body, which can impair the victim’s ability to continue working and performing daily tasks.
• Crushing injuries. If machines are used improperly by untrained people, it can lead to individuals getting crushed by them. It also applies to seamen who get crushed by moving cargo that is not properly tied down.
• Wrongful death. Some maritime injuries are so severe that they result in the victim’s death. Even if the person who experienced the injury is no longer with us, the family can still recover damages. They still went through hardship due to the loss of their loved one.
• Toxic exposure. Many vessels have hazardous chemicals that are dangerous when exposed to. Even if the reactions don’t come right away, they could arise decades later, sometimes causing incurable ailments.
• Mental issues. Even if the injuries aren’t physical, there is still the possibility of mental health problems due to traumatic events. If you saw someone else get injured, it could affect you so much that you experience issues secondhand.

All these scenarios might be eligible for a maritime legal claim. Speak to an attorney to learn more about filing a claim under maritime injury laws.

Why Hire a Maritime Injury Lawyer?

Many maritime cases involve both federal and state law. It could even involve multiple states due to the transportation aspect of the maritime injury. This makes a maritime injury claim significantly harder than other personal injury claims.

It can also be difficult to determine what classification of worker you are. An offshore accident attorney can tell you whether you qualify under the Jones Act or another law, like the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Some people have difficulties once they file their claim. It’s possible for them to be rejected if it is filed incorrectly. Some claims require a hearing to be resolved. An Abbeville maritime injury attorney is used to these hearings and can make them less intimidating.

Why Choose Us?

Many of our attorneys at Sanchez Burke, LLC, are Louisiana natives. That means we’re familiar with the local area and what residents struggle with. Our team has experience with surveying geographical areas, which gives us the knowledge to evaluate important details for our clients.

FAQs

What Does a Maritime Injury Lawyer Do?

A maritime injury lawyer tries to get as much compensation as possible for their clients who have been injured in a maritime accident. They can use federal laws, like the Jones Act, as well as state personal injury laws to determine how to structure the case. Attorneys can also gather evidence to prove that their clients’ injuries are a direct result of being on a vessel.

What Are the Most Common Maritime Injuries in Louisiana?

The most common maritime injuries in Louisiana are falls and slips. According to OSHA, about 141 longshoremen experience fall injuries each year. Wet floors and adverse weather conditions can lead to accidents on boats and in shipyards. Many of these injuries can result in compensation based on maritime injury law.

What Is a Maritime Injury?

A maritime injury is one that’s related to working in the maritime industry. The scope and type of injury can vary. The type of job that the victim has affects the law that they are subject to. Due to all the different maritime laws, it is a good idea to speak to a maritime injury lawyer, as they can figure out what laws apply to you.

Can Passengers on Boats File a Maritime Injury Claim?

Passengers on boats normally cannot file a maritime injury claim, but they can file a personal injury claim. Maritime injury claims mostly apply to people who work in the maritime industry. If you have been injured on a boat or cruise ship, you would instead file a personal injury claim against the boat operator or company.

Compensation for a Hazardous Maritime Injury

In 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the transportation and production industry experienced 42 workplace fatalities in Louisiana. The industry can be dangerous, and you might be left paying for injuries on your own without a solid legal representative. Schedule a consultation with Sanchez Burke, LLC, for more information.