Admiralty & Maritime Law

Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans Maritime Law Attorney

Workers and travelers on the Gulf of Mexico and the waterways that feed it are exposed to a wide variety of hazards. Pilots on cruise ships and drill operators on barges, employees being transferred by helicopter or crew boat, commercial divers, and fishermen on pogie boats, tugs, and platform rigs, if injured in maritime accidents, are covered by admiralty law. Lawyers at our New Orleans personal injury firm, James L. Arruebarrena, L.L.C., assist seamen and dock workers in recovering compensation for injuries suffered in harbor, on rivers and lakes, or at sea.

Claims under the Jones Act

A seaman falls on a greasy deck and suffers a back injury. A waiter on a private yacht falls overboard and drowns. A sailor's foot is crushed in a hoist accident. The Jones Act is a United States law providing all of the maritime workers with the ability to sue their employers for negligence. If the boat was unseaworthy, the equipment was defective, or the company was not taking proper safety precautions, our attorneys will pursue a claim under the Jones Act. Recent changes to the Jones Act have expanded the definition of "seaman," "ship," and the act now covers wrongful death claims. If the Jones Act doesn't apply to your offshore injury, we will investigate the possibility of a claim under general admiralty law.

In a Jones Act, general maritime law, or admiralty case, our attorneys will challenge an unreasonable settlement offer regarding maintenance and cure, aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for our client.

The Longshore Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Workers injured or who have contracted occupational diseases while employed in support of the maritime industry as shipbuilders, dock workers, longshoremen, mechanics, or maintenance workers on any canal, river, or other waterway are entitled to compensation under the Longshore Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). Lawyers at our New Orleans firm handle LHWCA claims throughout Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

Talk to a maritime law attorney before talking to anyone else

If you or a member of your family suffered a catastrophic injury or death in an accident covered under admiralty law the insurance company will try to pay as little as possible for your loss. Have your claim evaluated by an experienced maritime lawyer before making a statement for the insurance company, or signing any insurance forms. If you would like attorney Jim Arruebarrena to evaluate your claim, contact our New Orleans office to arrange a free consultation.