Alexandria Maritime Injury Lawyer

The Death on the High Seas Act Allows Surviving Families to Recover Damages

If your loved one died while working on a vessel within three nautical miles of a U.S. shore, the Death on the High Seas Act entitles surviving spouses, children, parents, or dependent relatives to compensation to cover damages. The seaman’s employer may be held liable for damages, and whether your loved one held partial negligence in the fatal accident does not bar you from recovery.

Not all damages are covered through maritime-related wrongful death actions, such as loss of companionship or emotional trauma. However, you may qualify to receive compensation for:

• Pain and suffering if the decedent suffered physical trauma or fell unconscious before passing away
• Costs for funeral arrangements
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of income and other financial support from the decedent, including benefits
• Loss of parental guidance and nurturing for surviving children

A lawyer from our team can review your case to determine whether your loved one’s death qualifies for wrongful death under maritime law. We can also look into other legal options should other liable parties exist in your case.

Types of Maritime Accidents

Maritime laws control the shipping business and its variables. Governed by maritime law, the following types of accidents and injuries might mean you are eligible for financial compensation from your employer:

• Barge accidents
• Deckhand injury
• Dockworker accidents
• Seaman injuries
• Shipyard accidents

Maritime workers might incur dangers in their line of work. When employee injuries result from negligence, they might be compensable via a lawsuit or insurance claim.

Types of Maritime Injuries

Workers in the maritime industry face dangers that could frequently place them at risk, including slippery floors and decks, loose and shifting cargo, and equipment-related dangers. Commonly reported accidents may include:

• Falls over railings or from equipment that might lead to accidental drownings
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents that could cause fractures, bone breaks, or head injuries
• Confinement or becoming trapped, which could lead to crushing injuries
• Electrical or chemical burns that could damage one’s skin or nerves

A member of our team can give you a free consultation if you have suffered one or more of these injuries. You might be eligible for financial compensation to support yourself and your family while recovering from your injuries.

Duty of Care

Your maritime workplace owes you a standard of care that can be provided with simple maintenance and attention to detail. That includes ensuring that indoor and outdoor floors are well maintained, and that equipment undergoes routine care and maintenance. It also means ensuring that workers are well-trained and provided with all necessary safety equipment.

Breach of Duty

If any of the above-mentioned conditions are not met, or your safety during your employment is compromised in any other fashion, you and your fellow workers might be at risk of injury. If that happens, your employer may be considered in breach of their duty to provide you with a standard of care.

Cause of Injuries

If your employer or the owner of the vessel where you work was negligent, and their negligence caused your injuries, they may bear financial responsibility for your damages. We may use your medical records and bills to prove the cause and cost of your injuries.

Financial Damages

If the at-fault party’s action led to your injuries, they may be responsible for your financial damages. Our team may help prove their negligence, value your injuries, and negotiate with the at-fault party.