New Orleans Maritime Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured while working offshore, recovering the compensation you are owed can be an overwhelming process. At Laborde Earles, our New Orleans Maritime Injury Lawyers are here to fight for full compensation in your case.

With over $1 billion recovered for injury victims, our firm has the experience and resources to take on even the toughest cases. Whether you’re dealing with injuries from a vessel accident, offshore drilling, or dock work, we understand the unique challenges maritime workers face.

Our New Orleans personal injury lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and securing maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Let us help you rebuild your future. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for what you deserve.

When to Pursue a Jones Act Case

If a maritime employee can prove their employer’s negligence caused their accident, they can seek to hold them accountable under the Jones Act. Under the Jones Act, an injured worker does not have to prove how their employer was negligent. 

They must only prove their employer’s actions were a factor in causing their injury. Examples of maritime employer negligence are:

• Failing to provide a hazard-free work environment, such as keeping ship decks free of spilled liquids like oil or grease
• Failing to train employees on how to use tools and equipment properly
• Not keeping machinery maintained or up to date
• Failing to establish or enforce worker safety policies
• Requiring employees to work longer-than-normal shifts or not giving them proper work breaks

If you are injured on the job, you should get prompt medical attention. All injuries are worth a doctor’s examination, no matter how minor they appear. Getting emergency care can also document your injuries and the fact that you sought help right away, which could strengthen your case.

Filing a Jones Act Claim can be intimidating, but our maritime accident lawyers in our New Orleans office can guide you through it. We will explain your rights and responsibilities under the law and help you fill out the proper claim forms, ensuring you report your injury promptly.

How a New Orleans Maritime Lawyer on Our Team Can Help Your Case

The experienced team at Laborde Earles can manage your maritime injury case from start to finish. We take care of our clients, anticipating their needs during a challenging time.

We can examine your evidence, collect additional evidence if needed, and value your damages so you know what your case is worth. We can also communicate with all parties in your case and represent you in all proceedings, making it easier for you to focus on your recovery.

In sum, our duties in your case may include:

• Investigation: Our team will take all steps necessary to gather evidence, obtain witness accounts, and put together a comprehensive case. Because of our proximity to New Orleans, we are positioned to do everything your investigation requires. We may even hire experts to reconstruct your maritime accident.
• Communications: Our firm will handle as much of your case-related communications as we are allowed to. Whether we are dealing with insurance companies, other attorneys, witnesses, or defendants in your case, we’ll do the talking (and listening).
• Administrative Duties: Maritime injury claims can require a significant amount of paperwork. When dealing with the Jones Act and other statutes related to maritime injuries, the paperwork burden may be unusually great. Our New Orleans maritime attorneys, paralegals, and other staff are ready to handle administrative duties for you.
• Negotiations: Negotiation marks a pivotal stage in any personal injury case, and our firm will prepare exhaustively for it. When settlement talks begin, we won’t back down until we receive a fair offer. Going to trial is an option we always consider, so we are able to stand firm during settlement talks.
• Trial: If your case requires a trial, this will be our responsibility. Trials are not always necessary, but we have secured substantial judgments for our clients. If we need to take your case to the courtroom, we will be prepared.

Client Success is Our Goal

Our firm has two primary goals: protecting your rights and securing a fair financial recovery. As we handle your case, we also want to ensure that your mind is at ease. Our team works to achieve client satisfaction by:

• Responding quickly to all inquiries: When you call or email us, you deserve a prompt response. If you don’t reach us immediately, a team member will get back to you as quickly as possible.
• Helping with case-related appointments: We may be in a position to help you get medical treatment or other case-related services. If we can help you, we will.
• Listening: While it sounds simple, listening to the client is not guaranteed with many law firms. Our team will take the time to listen and understand what you’re going through. If you have any requests for us, we will do our best to accommodate them.
• Providing regular case updates: No client should have to repeatedly contact their law firm to find out about their case’s progress. Our firm is proactive with every client, reaching out when there is a significant change in your case’s status.
• Doing everything we can to win for you: Client service includes results. We will serve you by lending you every resource and doing everything in our power to win your case. As a maritime worker, you have certain rights. We’ll pursue a just outcome if your rights have been violated and you’re suffering as a result.

Laborde Earles has a strong reputation among past clients. We have earned that reputation, and we’ll work to add you to our list of satisfied clients.

How the Jones Act Protects Maritime Workers

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (46 U.S.C. § 30104), also known as the Jones Act, is a federal law that applies to eligible maritime employees. It allows them to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employers.

The legislation applies to crew members who work aboard or around vessels and those whose work on navigable waters. The Jones Act offers injured offshore workers an opportunity to receive maintenance and cure benefits from their employer if they are hurt in an offshore accident.

Maintenance covers an injured seaman’s daily living expenses, while cure pertains to injury-related medical costs. Our maritime injury attorneys in New Orleans can explain concepts like these in detail as they relate to your case.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) May Apply to Your Case

If you’re unsure whether you’re covered under the Jones Act, we encourage you to call our legal team today so we can review your options with you. You may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

This federal law provides benefits, including healthcare and rehabilitation services, to workers injured on navigable U.S. waters or in areas related to those waters. This includes employees who load or unload vessels and work on building or repairing them.

The LHWCA also pays survivor benefits to dependents if a work injury causes or plays a role in an employee’s death. If you qualify for LHWCA benefits, we can advise you on that option.

Understanding Maritime Injuries

Workers in the maritime industry face unique risks due to the demanding nature of their jobs and hazardous working conditions. Common offshore injuries include:

• Falls overboard
• Crush injuries from heavy equipment
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Injuries caused by poor vessel maintenance

These injuries can have long-term consequences, making compensation vital for covering medical care, lost income, and other damages.

Damages You May Collect Following a Maritime Accident

If you can sue your employer for damages suffered in your accident, you could recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses for past, ongoing, and future treatment
• Lost or reduced wages from time missed at work
• Loss of potential future wages
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Wrongful death damages
• Other accident-related expenses

You may qualify for damages not listed here. Consider speaking with one of our attorneys for more specific guidance. A lawyer with our firm can review the details of your accident to determine if you should seek payment for your injuries.

Federal laws regarding maritime coverage eligibility and other matters can be challenging for a layperson. This is why working with an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of maritime law could benefit you.

The Statute of Limitations for Maritime Injury Cases

If you are considering pursuing compensation for a maritime accident, it is best to act as soon as possible. You generally have three years from the date of the injury to sue under the Jones Act, as per 46 U.S.C. § 30106.

Additionally, in most cases, you have two years from the accident or injury date to file an LHWCA claim, per U.S.C. 33 § 913. Missing these deadlines can bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries.

Your lawyer will need time to build a case for your compensation, fill out all essential paperwork, and give your case the attention it deserves. Don’t wait to get legal help.

Workers Under The Jones Act

The Jones Act provides crucial protections for seamen who are injured while working due to their employer’s negligence. To file a claim under the Jones Act, you must qualify as a “seaman” under the law.

This classification typically applies to individuals who spend a significant portion of their working time aboard a vessel in navigation. Here are the types of seamen who may qualify for Jones Act claims:

Crew Members on Ships and Boats

This includes individuals who actively work on vessels such as:

• Cargo ships
• Fishing boats
• Tankers
• Research vessels

Crew members perform essential duties related to the operation, maintenance, or navigation of the vessel.

Offshore Oil and Gas Workers

Workers aboard offshore rigs, oil platforms, or vessels involved in exploration, drilling, or production may qualify as seamen under the Jones Act if the rig or platform is classified as a “vessel.”

Workers on Tugboats and Barges

Seamen working on tugboats, towboats, and barges are protected under the Jones Act, as these are considered vessels in navigation.

Ferry and Cruise Ship Workers

Employees aboard ferries or cruise ships, such as deckhands, engineers, and hospitality staff, may qualify for Jones Act protections if their primary role contributes to the vessel’s mission.

Commercial Fishermen and Shrimpers

Workers on commercial fishing boats often qualify as seamen under the Jones Act, provided they work aboard navigable vessels.

Harbor Pilots and Deckhands

Harbor pilots and deckhands who guide or assist vessels in navigation are typically considered seamen under the Jones Act, as their work directly supports the vessel’s operations.

How Do You Qualify as a Seaman?

To pursue a Jones Act claim, you must meet these general criteria:

1. Connection to a Vessel: You must work on a vessel that is afloat, in navigation, and capable of moving on water.
2. Significant Time Aboard the Vessel: A substantial portion of your duties—typically 30% or more—must be performed on the vessel.
3. Contribution to the Vessel’s Mission: Your work must directly support the vessel’s purpose or operations.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, consulting an experienced maritime injury lawyer can help clarify your rights and legal options.

Our Lawyers Have Recovered More Than $1 Billion for Our Clients

With more than 350 years of combined legal experience, we strive to protect all injury victims in New Orleans and elsewhere in Louisiana. Our past results attest to our successful track record.

For example:

• We secured a $23 million judgment for a woman’s wrongful death.
• Our trial lawyers got a $17 million verdict for clients whose healthcare provider overbilled them.
• We won $7 million for a truck driver’s injuries.
• Our firm secured $5.5 million for an injured maritime employee.

We will treat your case with the same care and attention as these successful cases.

We Can Get to Work for You on a No-Win, No-Fee Basis

When you call our firm, you will receive a free, no-obligation consultation right away. Unless and until your case ends with a settlement or court award, you will not pay us anything:

• Hourly
• Upfront
• Out of your pocket

We understand the financial burden you’re carrying right now, and we don’t want to add to it. You must save your money so you can rest easy while we take care of everything else.

Contact Our New Orleans Maritime Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation

The sooner you hire an attorney from the team at Laborde Earles, the sooner our maritime injury lawyers in New Orleans can start working for you. Give us a call today to review your case and start planning your legal strategy. You pay no attorney fees unless we win.