Baton Rouge’s location on the Mississippi River makes it a key inland port that supports a thriving maritime industry. This industry employs thousands of workers, and while these jobs are essential to commerce, they also come with significant risks.
When maritime accidents occur, they can cause life-changing injuries, leaving workers and their families facing medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future. If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, Dudley DeBosier’s experienced maritime accident attorneys are here to help you seek justice and the financial recovery you deserve.
Serious Injuries Common in Maritime Work
Maritime work is physically demanding and often hazardous. Common causes of maritime injuries include slips and falls, faulty equipment, falling objects, fires, electrical accidents, and falls overboard. These incidents can result in severe and sometimes permanent injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage (neck and back injuries)
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns and disfigurement
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Hypothermia
- Repetitive motion injuries
Dudley DeBosier proudly represents injured Baton Rouge maritime workers. We understand that it takes a lot of workers to keep Baton Rouge’s maritime industry afloat. It’s our job to help keep their heads above water when an injury occurs.
We’re here to help several types of maritime workers, including:
- Cargo ship hands
- Construction barge workers
- Deckhands
- Drillship workers
- Harbor workers
- Longshoremen
- Oil rig workers
- Seamen
- Supply vessel workers
- Tanker workers
- Towboat and tugboat workers
Maritime Laws Protecting Baton Rouge Workers
Maritime workers are covered by special laws that reach beyond standard workers’ compensation. Not just any law firm can handle maritime cases. For example, our Baton Rouge maritime lawyers understand admiralty law and can help you understand your rights and fight for maximum financial recovery.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act provides legal protections for seamen injured by employer negligence. Under this law, injured workers can file lawsuits against their employers if their injuries were caused by a vessel that is considered unseaworthy. This means that the vessel and any parts or equipment are not safe enough to perform the work assigned.
Lawsuits can also be filed for inadequate training. Our team knows the intricacies of these laws and cases and will be on top of any maritime-specific regulations to ensure your rights are protected.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
This law provides benefits to maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen, such as dockworkers, harbor construction workers, and other non-seamen in maritime-related industries. Available benefits include:
- Medical care coverage
- Disability compensation
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Financial Recovery for Maritime Accident Victims
Maritime workers put their lives at risk every day. An accident in this industry can alter a worker’s life in the blink of an eye. When they get injured on the job because of unseaworthiness or lack of training, they deserve to be compensated and treated with respect.
Here are the types of damages maritime workers may be entitled to under the law:
- Medical expenses (hospitalization, surgeries, medications)
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Prosthetics and adaptive equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Vocational retraining
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impact on family relationships
Challenges in Baton Rouge Maritime Claims
Maritime claims involve a few unique legal challenges. Without experienced legal help, the path to fair treatment under the law can be a rocky one. Here are a few of the challenges associated with maritime law:
- Jurisdictional Complexities: Maritime claims may fall under federal, state, or international laws. This can create confusion over where to file. Choosing the wrong jurisdiction can delay or jeopardize your case.
- Corporate Defense Strategies & Insurance Tactics: Employers and insurers often minimize liability by shifting blame, disputing injuries, or using legal loopholes. Skilled legal guidance by one of our maritime lawyers is crucial to countering these tactics.
- Strict Maritime Filing Requirements: Like most personal injury cases, claims under the Jones Act, LHWCA, or general maritime law have specific deadlines. Still, their deadlines and procedures are specific to maritime law. Failing to understand and meet these deadlines and requirements can weaken or cause your case to be dismissed entirely.
Our Baton Rouge maritime lawyers are experienced in handling these challenges and won’t back down in our fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.
Our Baton Rouge Maritime Lawyers Advocate for You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, know that you shouldn’t go to just any personal injury law firm for help. At Dudley DeBosier, we have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex maritime injury cases.
You want that extensive knowledge when your livelihood depends on it. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us guide you through the complexities of your maritime case toward justice and fair financial recovery.
