Lafourche Parish Maritime Lawyer

Lafourche Parish Maritime Attorney

The maritime industry is essential to the economy and daily work of Louisiana and Lafourche Parish. Maritime worksites are also some of the most dangerous places of employment. When maritime employees are injured, they deserve to be compensated so they can support themselves, their own care, and their families. Maritime workers should find a dedicated Lafourche Parish maritime lawyer if they are hurt on the job to protect their rights.

Maritime worksites include offshore rigs and platforms, docks, boats, dredges, barges, and other vessels. Employees work as ship engineers, boat pilots, captains, marine oilers, ship loaders, and in many other maritime-related jobs. Accidents in these worksites can include slip and fall accidents, vessel collisions, and explosions. In some cases, maritime employees can recover unique compensation, and an attorney can help secure that recovery.

Hammond Law Firm, LLC: Navigating a Claim for a Maritime Accident

It can be complex to navigate a claim and to determine whether you are able to file under federal workers’ compensation maritime laws. It is even more difficult when you are injured. Having experienced legal support by your side can give you the legal and personal support you need. An attorney can also investigate to determine if your employer’s negligence led to your injuries.

What Protections Do Maritime Workers Have?

Maritime and admiralty law is important for maritime workers, providing them with additional protections on the job and if they are injured. Maritime laws include some of the following:

• The General Maritime Law
• The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
• The Death on the High Seas Act
• The Jones Act

When a maritime employee is injured, they can recover compensation for that injury. However, if a maritime employee meets certain qualifications and their injury was caused by their employer’s negligence, they can file a civil claim against their employer. Most employees cannot do this. A civil claim provides additional compensation that most workers’ compensation claims do not. If an employer fails to ensure a worksite is safe, they can be held civilly liable.

Maritime Health and Safety

Maritime law also provides for employee health and safety by regulating the maintenance and safety standards of worksites. These regulatory laws address standards such as:

• When and how machinery and equipment are maintained and inspected
• How to store dangerous chemicals
• The certification of employees
• Ventilation requirements where there are hazardous gases
• The training of employees for work and dealing with specific equipment or areas of the worksite
• Employee substance use tests
• The proper protective gear that must be supplied, particularly for specific equipment and tools
• Sufficient fire prevention equipment and fire safety evacuation plans

Accidents on maritime worksites can happen even when all safety protocols are followed, but they are much less likely. When employers ignore these regulations to save money at the expense of their employees’ health and well-being, they should be held responsible for this failure.

Contact Hammond Law Firm, LLC, in Lafourche Parish

If you are a maritime employee who has been injured, and you believe it was caused by your employer’s negligence, contact Hammond Law Firm, LLC. We can help you navigate your claim through workers’ compensation, the Jones Act, or potentially through other avenues.