Maritime Law
Throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the coastal regions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and on inland waters, oil and gas industry employees, seamen, and dockworkers are exposed to dangerous work conditions each and every day. Offshore workers routinely suffer injuries caused by dangerous conditions on platforms, spars, jack-up rigs, tankers, crew boats, lay barges, and other vessels. Diving accidents, gas explosions, and improper operation of dangerous equipment also lead to a staggering number of accidents, injuries and deaths every year.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act, originally introduced as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal law that protects offshore workers by allowing them to seek compensation for their injuries. It provides seamen with the ability to recover damages if their injury was caused due to the negligence of the vessel’s owner, captain or crew.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides benefits to maritime workers who are not covered by either traditional workers’ compensation law or the Jones Act. Most workers eligible for LHWCA benefits work on 1) navigable waters or 2) areas adjoining navigable waters, including docks, piers, terminals, stationary platforms and oil rigs, and dry dock facilities. Activities that are often covered under the LHWCA include: Loading or unloading of a vessel; Repairing, maintaining or building of a vessel; and Longshoring, harbor work and stevedoring.
Our attorneys represent injured workers and their families in serious injury and wrongful death claims governed by the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOSHA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and General Maritime Claims.