Have you or a loved one been hurting on a Louisiana port, on the dock, or at sea? Jobs in the maritime industry are always in high demand in Louisiana. In fact, Louisiana ports have provided jobs to over half a million workers throughout the state. There are numerous employment opportunities available in the maritime industry, including repairmen, cargo loaders, pier workers, deckhands, crewmen, and workers who perform other ship-related tasks.
Jobs in the maritime industry are significantly more dangerous than traditional land-based jobs. Maritime workers are at an increased risk of suffering from on-the-job injury-causing accidents, illnesses, and catastrophic injuries daily.
Accidents and injuries that occur at any of the ports throughout Louisiana are protected under a special area of law known as maritime law. These personal injury cases aren’t protected under the same workers’ compensation laws that are awarded to land-based workers. Injured seafarers are entitled to different types, forms, and amounts of compensation based on the circumstances in the case.
Maritime personal injury cases are governed by entirely different legal processes than traditional personal injury cases. You will need an attorney who has extensive knowledge and experience in this complex area to help you navigate these processes.
Reach out to Willie D. Powells III today if you have suffered an injury or illness at any of the ports throughout Louisiana. Willie D Powells will fight to ensure that you are granted all compensation that you are legally entitled to receive.
The Port of New Orleans has created over 19,500 jobs and contributed nearly $30 billion of economic value to the United States. Maritime work is in high demand in New Orleans and at all ports along the Gulf Coast. This ongoing for more maritime workers results from the ongoing risks associated with this line of work.
Louisiana is home to several coastal, deepwater, and inland ports that serve numerous industries. These ports are major economic contributors to local, state, and federal-level organizations. These waterways continue to help businesses flourish by providing an affordable transportation channel for the import and export of goods.
Maritime law provides legal rights to any individual when an on-the=job accident on Louisiana waterways results in injury. These laws provide protection to dock workers, commercial fishermen, offshore workers, and even cruise ship passengers.
Willie D. Powells III is proud to serve injured workers who are involved in an accident at any of the seaports throughout Louisiana. The following lists only a portion of the 32 Louisiana ports served.
There is a wide range of serious accidents, illnesses, and catastrophic events that can occur in maritime shipyards, dock areas, or at sea.
Dock, pier, and shipyard workers are required to use heavy machinery, tools, and equipment in a fast-paced and hazardous environment. These jobs are highly laborious and subject workers to numerous risks, including chemical exposure, illness, and physical injuries.
The Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act was enacted to protect all maritime workers, including laborers who work on docks, piers, shipyards, warehouses, etc.
Offshore workers include crewmen, deckhands, oil rig and barge workers, offshore underwater welders, and all other types of ship laborers.
Offshore workers are at an increased risk of suffering from serious on-the-job accidents and injuries. Maritime law provides additional protection for offshore workers due to the numerous accidents that could potentially occur.
Catastrophic accidents are events that result in significant damages, including injuries, fatalities, and/or results in extensive property damage. Maritime workers are subjected to dangerous conditions that could result in catastrophic accidents.
On April 13, 2021, heavy winds caused a commercial lift boat carrying 19 people to capsize near Port Fourchon. The accident resulted in the known deaths of 6 people on the ship. The search has been suspected with 7 people left unaccounted for.
The New York Times shared a report detailing the series of events that preceded the disaster. A crewmember made the mistake of turning the vessel towards high winds. The ship operators were well aware of the potential for hazardous weather conditions to occur. News teams and weather forecasters had reported a potential for bad weather, well before the storm occurred.
Maritime employers are responsible for minimizing the likelihood that employees will suffer maritime accident injuries.
Upholding these responsibilities is critical to protect workers in this high-risk environment. Failure to uphold these responsibilities is considered negligence. Employer negligence occurs when any accident directly or indirectly contributes to the occurrence of an on-the job injury. All accidents and injuries that occur on Louisiana waterways are protected under maritime law.
Maritime accidents can result in a wide range of potential injuries and damages. These injuries may result in lifelong permanent partial or full disability. These accidents can result in long-term mental, financial, and emotional damages.
Contact a Louisiana maritime accident lawyer immediately if you or a loved one has been hurt on a Louisiana Port. All maritime workers are entitled to certain forms of compensation when an injury or illness results from an on-the-job accident.
It is imperative that you reach out to a maritime lawyer immediately to ensure you receive the entitlement due for your injuries.
Winning your personal injury case will require your maritime attorney to prove that another party contributed to your injury-causing accident. Any form of contribution is grounds for liability in the case. This means that there could be multiple primary and/or secondary causes of the accident.
Employers are required to provide specific forms and amounts of compensation for each type of maritime employee. These allowances are determined based on the applicable circumstances under maritime law.
A maritime personal injury lawyer will need to review your circumstances to determine which laws are applicable and will ensure maximum compensation.
Ship operators and insurance companies will not provide you with a fair settlement after an accident occurs. They may even try to shift and denounce all liability for your claim. A maritime lawyer will fight for you while you recover from your injuries.
A Louisiana port personal injury lawyer can help even if you have already accepted a payout from the insurance company. Contact a maritime lawyer immediately to review your case if you were awarded less than you deserved.
You may have also been denied specific coverages to which you were entitled. For example, all maritime workers that are protected under the Jones Act, are entitled to receive a form of compensation called maintenance and cure.
Employers are required to provide Jones Act workers with maintenance and cure automatically. Through maintenance and cure, seamen are entitled to compensation that accommodates daily living expenses, regardless of the circumstances, and/or liability.
Contact Willie D. Powells today if you or a loved one has been hurt at any of the ports throughout Louisiana. You may be entitled to numerous forms of compensation, including payments for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and additional damages unique to your case.
Choose an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to fight for you. Willie D. Powells III is compassionate about fighting to get justice for his clients.
Do not leave your case to a mainstream Louisiana personal injury lawyer. This area of law requires extensive research and experience. Trust maritime lawyer Willie D. Powells III, to fight for your rights if you have been hurt at any port along the coast.
Willie D. Powells III is happy to help clients at any point in the maritime personal injury claims process. This applies whether you were recently injured and need to file a claim, or if you are currently in the middle of the claims process. Willie D. Powell III is also proud to help workers who were previously injured and denied compensation.
Call Willie D. Powells III today if you or a loved one was injured in a maritime accident. You can reach the office at 281-881-2457.