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Port of New Orleans
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.
Maritime workers are at a significantly higher risk of injuries and illnesses on the job than in any other industry. In fact, the CDC reports that maritime transportation workers are 6x more likely to suffer a fatal accident than all other US workforces.
On-the-job and personal injury accidents that occur on or near the water are not protected under traditional law. Maritime law is a specialized area of law that was developed to protect individuals who are injured at the port of New Orleans, or while navigating any seaports along the Gulf.
Maritime law contains numerous acts to protect maritime workers and cruise ship passengers in the event of an accident at the port of New Orleans. Choose an attorney who specializes in this field of law to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your case.
Willie D. Powells III is a compassionate and maritime personal injury lawyer who understands the damages that result from an injury-causing accident. The claims process can be confusing for any injured individual to handle on their own. Contact Willie D. Powells III and allow a professional maritime attorney to help you navigate these processes.
About the Port of New Orleans
The Port of New Orleans has an extensive history as a premier location for trade. The port was founded over 300 years ago in 1912.
The Port of New Orleans is strategically located on the Mississippi River in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. The port’s unique location has allowed it to become a major contributor to state and national economies, reporting an average revenue of $100 million each year. The Port of New Orleans receives no government tax dollars due to its state classification as a sole-sustaining division.
The Port of New Orleans meets the transportation needs of cargo ships across a wide range of industries locally, nationally, and overseas.
Imports and Exports:
The Port of New Orleans has provided numerous opportunities for Louisiana businesses to flourish. The port’s annual capacity reports 1 million TEUs.
Imports and Exports Include:
- Apparel
- Coffee
- Food Products
- Paper
- Metal
- Wood
The Port of New Orleans became the 2nd Foreign-Trade Zone in the United States in 1946. The port is the only deepwater container terminal in the state of Louisiana and specializes in providing services for heavy lift and/or project cargo. Future expansion plans indicate the port intends to increase the number from 9 to 12 gantry cranes.
The port allows for increased accessibility of heavy loads transportation needs, between ships, barges, or nearby railway connections.
The Port of New Orleans is also utilized by several major cruise ship agencies, including Disney, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise lines.
- Roll-On/Roll of Capabilities
- Temp-Sensitive Cargo Storage
- Service Connections w/Leading Partners
- 9 Gantry Cranes
Risks at the Port of New Orleans
Any individual who utilizes the Port of New Orleans is at an increased risk of suffering from an accident, injury, or illness. These threats are ongoing for workers in the maritime industry and cruise line passengers.
Maritime workers are exposed to an extensive list of potential hazards on a daily basis, including:
- Chemical Exposure
- Dangerous Weather Systems
- Illnesses
- Workplace Violence
- Heavy Equipment Accident
- Catastrophic Events
Maritime workers face a significantly increased risk of contracting a viral or bacterial infection/illness at sea. Poor hygiene in a close quarter environment increases the potential of highly dangerous situations, including food poisoning, external bodily, and internal organ infections.
These hazards are usually due to poor or a lack of hygiene standard enforcement in the work environment. These illnesses and injuries put workers at serious risk of complications, including amputations, dehydration, and/or sepsis.
Dangerous storm systems put all maritime workers and ship passengers at risk of serious harm. Heavy winds, rains, and waves can result in overboard accidents, collisions, injuries, and even cause the ship to capsize.
Heavy storms on the dock and at sea can result in serious injuries including falls, crushing injuries, and death.
Inclement weather is not always foreseeable, but ship operators are required to utilize the most up-to-date forecasts available. Ship operators should heed all weather forecast warnings to prevent navigating into bad weather. Operators are also required to have procedures in place to minimize damages when unpredictable weather strikes.
Ships carry numerous types of heavy equipment, machinery, and flammable compounds. These elements increase the risk of the occurrence of numerous catastrophes at the Port of New Orleans.
Catastrophic Accidents May Include:
- Fires/Explosions
- Collisions
- Crane/Winch Accidents
- Cargo Accidents
- Falls from Heights
- Overboard Accidents
- Lost-at-Sea
Maritime workers and cruise ship passengers who survive these catastrophic accidents are often mistreated by ship operators. Shipping companies are aware that most people are not familiar with the processes involved in maritime law. They will misuse this knowledge to trick victims into signing liability statements and waivers.
New Orleans Maritime Injuries
Everyone who utilizes the Port of New Orleans is at risk of suffering from a maritime injury, including dock workers, cruise passengers, and ship crewmembers.
There are numerous potential injuries that could result from a maritime accident, illness, or catastrophic event, including:
- Amputations
- Head/Neck Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Chemical Exposure
- Broken Bones
- Burns
- Death
Poor operational management results in numerous potentially dangerous situations on a cruise ship. Cruise ship passengers are at risk of suffering from numerous accidents, illnesses, or unpleasant situations while at sea, including:
- Illnesses
- Falls
- Food Poisoning
- Assault
- Overboard Accidents
Maritime workers perform laborious processes in a busy and fast-paced work environment. Long hours, exhaustion, and repetitive tasks increase the risk of on-the-job injuries.
Common On-the-Job Injuries Include:
- Musculoskeletal/Overuse Injuries
- Slips and Falls
- Chemical Burns
- Electrocution
- Crushing Accidents
Most of the injury-causing accidents that occur at the Port of New Orleans are a result of human error. Employers, ship operators, and cruise lines are responsible for preventing any unforeseeable injury-causing accidents that could occur.
Upholding this responsibility requires ship operators to provide seafarers with all the knowledge, resources, and personal protective equipment necessary for safety. Ship operators are also responsible for ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained and for enforcing mandated OSHA workplace safety standards.
Compensation for Your Maritime Injuries
Maritime workers and cruise ship passengers may be due compensation when injuries occur on or near the water. Your unique circumstances will determine which legal acts are applicable.
You may be entitled to compensation to seek compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, and transportation to medical appointments.
Maritime workers who are eligible under the Jones Act are entitled to a special provision, called maintenance and cure.
Maintenance and cure provides workers with medical care, food, housing, utilities, transportation, and compensation for other daily living expenses.
You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, depending on the circumstances in your case. Employers are generally required to provide workers with a percentage of the pay until they reach a state of maximum medical improvement.
Additional compensation, including future wages and/or punitive damages, may apply if the victim is disabled as a result of the injury,
The Death on the High Seas Act provides compensation to eligible family members when a loved one dies at sea.
Contact a Louisiana Maritime lawyer today to obtain all the compensation that you are owed for your injuries. A maritime accident lawyer can review the circumstances involved in your accident and determine coverage and liability.
Your personal injury attorney will then send demands for fair compensation to applicable parties. Allow a legal professional to handle all the complex processes associated with filing a personal injury claim.
An experienced Louisiana maritime lawyer has the knowledge to identify which legal acts, and consequent coverage, apply to your claim.
This legal professional will then work to gather evidence that proves another party contributed to your accident. Any amount of blame is grounds for a liability
Contact a Louisiana Maritime Lawyer Today
Contact a Louisiana maritime lawyer today who is not afraid to fight for due justice. Willie D. Powells III is proud to serve injured workers and cruise ship passengers in New Orleans, and at ports throughout Louisiana.
Louisiana Ports Served:
Choose an experienced and compassionate Louisiana maritime lawyer to help you with your case today. Reach the law office of Willie D. Powells III today at 281-881-2457 or schedule a consultation online to discuss your case.
