Maritime/Jones Act

Lehmbecker Law aggressively investigates and prosecutes Maritime and Jones Act cases.

Does one of the following apply to you?

• You did not receive proper safety training before being asked to perform a particular duty.
• You know that proper maintenance and repairs on equipment and parts is not being done.
• You notice that malfunctioning equipment and parts are not being repaired.
• You did not receive proper safety gear.
• You see that warning signs are missing from hazardous areas.
• Your vessel decks were missing no-skid surfaces.
• You were working on an unseaworthy vessel.

Our Recent Results:

$70,000 Settlement for a client whose right leg was sucked underneath a conveyor belt and severely twisted.

$35,000 Settlement for a client whose left finger was crushed between two pieces of grating.

$250,000 Settlement for a client who developed a serious MRSA infection after a delay by his employer in getting him to a medical facility.

Common Maritime Injuries and Damages

If you have suffered a personal injury on the job while working as a fisherman, fish processor, or other maritime industry, you may require medical treatment.  You may be unable to work for some time and lose wages.  You might suffer a serious disability and never return to your normal work.  You might lose the ability to engage in many of your normal daily, enjoyable life activities.  You may be left suffering from chronic pain.

Under maritime law, you can recover your monetary losses – called “economic damages”, and may also be compensated for your pain and suffering and loss of quality of life, which are referred to as “noneconomic damages”.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries are among the most prevalent maritime injuries. Uneven, slippery, or cluttered vessel decks may result in slip and fall accidents. Similarly, unguarded vessel edges may cause slip and fall injuries. These injuries, which can be devastating, can result in broken bones, concussions, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and even death.

Fishing Injuries

Fishing injuries, meanwhile, affect shrimpers, lumpers, crab fishermen, and general fishermen. Common injuries include crush injuries from poorly stowed equipment, as well as neck and back injuries caused by overwork and the heavy nature of much of the work.

Dock and Pier Accidents

Other very common Maritime injuries are those that occur on docks and piers. Seamen are often injured in dock and pier accidents during heavy cargo unloading, due to cluttered or slippery walkways, and from heavy equipment operation. Dock and pier injuries frequently involve crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries including concussions, and neck and back injuries.

Receiving Compensation for Your Losses and Damages

Maritime injuries are often extreme. Broken bones, amputations, crushed hands and feet, brain injuries, and even death are too common.  These injuries can leave the injured seaman and his family financially devastated.  Fortunately, with the help of an experienced Maritime attorney, compensation for all the injured Seaman’s damages and losses can be obtained.

Injured Seamen: Protected by Law

The life of a Seaman has always been one full of hazard and harm.  The law developed over time to protect and provide them fair compensation, as Seaman were otherwise often left destitute by injuries that disabled them from performing the work they’d devoted their lives to.  This body of law came to be known generally as Maritime Law.  Compensation for injured Seamen is also provided for under the Federal Jones Act legislation (46 U.S.C. § 30104).

Regardless of whether a ship owner or crew member was negligent or careless, Seamen are entitled to “Maintenance and Cure” payments for an injury or illness that occurs at sea.  This means the injured Seaman should receive a daily living allowance as well as payment of all medical bills until the Seaman is “cured” and does not need further treatment and can return to duty.

Where a Seaman’s injury was due to the negligence of a ship owner or crew member, or the ship was found to be unseaworthy in some way, a Seaman may be entitled to much more compensation.  Where a Seaman is seriously injured or even killed, this additional compensation is essential to make sure the Seaman or his family is not left destitute.  The additional compensation that should be paid includes complete loss of wages, loss of future earning ability, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Serious injuries, the loss of a career at sea, and death are tragedies that entail losses that can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Maritime cases are thus often highly contested by the ship owner’s insurance company.  Injured Seaman must protect themselves and their families.  They should immediately retain competent Maritime counsel who will investigate, establish liability, and fight for every benefit the Seaman is entitled to.