Maritime Attorney New Orleans

Aldalifestyle.com – Maritime accidents involving offshore workers and other maritime workers are often overlooked by the general public. However, these types of accidents and injuries can often be catastrophic and result in serious injuries and high medical costs. Fortunately, there is a dedicated team of maritime injury lawyers in the New Orleans area who are here to help injured sailors get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our firm handles all types of claims involving maritime injury law and we have an impressive track record of getting favorable results for clients.

Building trust with our clients is one of the most important parts of our job when it comes to any type of case including maritime accident claims. The initial phone call with potential clients is critical because it helps us build rapport and credibility so that we can help them fairly through this difficult time. Making the claims process easier for our clients is what we strive to do at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP. Maritime injuries are very complex cases that require a lot of experience.

Many people do not realize that offshore accidents can happen just about anywhere including off the coast of New Orleans. We protect maritime workers on general maritime law, admiralty law, and the Jones Act. If you are a seaman and have been injured in an offshore accident, oil rig accident, harbor accident, or other maritime-related accident, contact our maritime law firm today to get the legal help you need.

What is Maritime Law?

If you were injured on open water, you could have a claim under maritime admiralty law. Injuries can increase expenses associated with medical bills, loss of wages, and emotional stress. Our New Orleans maritime lawyers can help you obtain appropriate compensation for your injuries while at sea.

Maritime law includes any trade or shipment of goods and transportation of passengers. The maritime lawyers at SMSH are dedicated to helping victims get the fair compensation that they deserve. The longshoremen and offshore injury lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. have years of experience filing claims for injured seamen under the Jones Act. The maritime industry can be dangerous for harbor workers, offshore workers, and other maritime workers. We aim to hold negligent parties responsible for any injuries you sustained in a maritime accident. To file a personal injury claim with the help of our maritime law firm, reach out to us today and get the representation you deserve.

When Should I File A Maritime Accident Injury Claim?

It is important to get into contact with a maritime injury attorney in New Orleans as soon as possible after you become injured. This kind of case involves a distinct set of laws that can be difficult to handle without experienced legal representation. Most injuries are the result of:

  • A vessel having existing damage
  • Negligence of captain or fellow seamen
  • Not having proper safety equipment
  • Sunken vessel from leaking oil

Filing a maritime injury claim for an offshore maritime accident or other related accident within the statutes of limitations is key. Filing after the statutes of limitations have expired can prevent you from taking legal action to get the compensation you deserve.

Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP has decades of combined experience helping maritime workers and their families seek out justice for accidents that happen at sea or on a port. We can help injured seamen and other water-related accident victims recover the money they need for a full and complete recovery.

Am I Eligible To Recover Damages For My Injuries?

You may be eligible to recover damages for your maritime injury if:

  • You or a family member received an injury due to the negligence of someone else.
  • Your injuries resulted from an accident that occurred on navigable waters, such as broad rivers and oceans.

If you were injured on the job, you may be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Maritime claims can also help you recover the compensation you deserve under the Jones Act. Our experienced team of Jones Act attorneys can help you recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses such as medical treatment and medical care, and pain and suffering. Getting fair compensation can be critical for your recovery. Put your trust in our Jones Act law firm to get you the financial compensation you truly deserve for your injuries.

When Should I Contact A Maritime Injury Lawyer For Help?

If you were injured and are in need of compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, or pain and suffering, we are conveniently open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do not hesitate, call our New Orleans maritime law firm today for a free evaluation. We will take the time to provide you with a detailed analysis of your case and help you determine if you have grounds for legal action.

We have been representing clients who have been injured as a result of maritime accidents for years. We work with clients from all over Louisiana including New Orleans and across the United States. Our maritime injury lawyers are equipped to handle any type of accident resulting in serious injury.

Our Jones Act law firm is dedicated to representing those who have been injured as a result of maritime accidents as quickly as possible. We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to filing a claim and we will work quickly to investigate your case and file all necessary documentation with your courts. Our goal is to secure fair compensation for our client’s injuries as soon as possible so they can focus on their recovery.

About New Orleans Maritime Law/Cruise Law

Maritime law (also known as admiralty law) is the body of law that governs nautical issues and private maritime disputes as well as offenses occurring on open water.

What Does a Maritime Lawyer in New Orleans Do?

The New Orleans maritime lawyer works with clients to oversee insurance claims related to a client’s ships and/or cargo. They also deal with issues that may arise between shipowners, their employees and passengers. A maritime attorney in New Orleans, Louisiana also works with clients on the registration, licensing and inspection procedures for their ships. They also draft contracts for clients and litigate any issues that may arise from a contract dispute.

The New Orleans maritime attorney works with clients on both shipping and passenger ships.

The International Maritime Organization

The United Nations founded the International Maritime Organization in 1948 to establish a permanent international body that established international regulations followed by all shipping nations to improve the safety of the sea. The organization met for the first time in 1959. The United States of America became a member in 1950. There are currently 174 member states.

This body has drafted certain regulations to help navigate international law when it comes to shipping.

For private and commercial shipping matters, Article III of the Constitution granted jurisdiction to the U.S. federal courts over maritime matters. While the federal courts have jurisdiction, maritime cases can be heard in either state or federal courts.

There are five cases which must be brought before the federal courts: limitation of shipowner’s liability; vessel arrests in rem; property arrests quasi in rem; salvage cases; and petitory and possession actions.

If a case is brought before a state court, the court must still adhere to admiralty and maritime law even if it is in conflict with state law. Similarly, the Supplemental Admiralty Rules take precedence over the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure if the two conflict.

The flag a ship sails under determines the body of law to which they are subjected. For example, a ship sailing under the American flag in Chinese waters is subject to American maritime law. Similarly, a ship sailing under the Chinese flag in American waters is subject to Chinese maritime laws. The crew aboard the ships is similarly held to those laws when a crime or other dispute arises.

The flag must be legitimately flown.

Why Do You Need a Top New Orleans Maritime Law or Cruise Law Attorney?

Maritime law is a very specific niche practice which adheres to different bodies of law including state, federal and international. New Orleans maritime lawyers are well-versed in how these different bodies of law interact and how to navigate complex legal issues that may arise.