Maritime Law Glossary
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Hague rules: rules governing the carriage of goods by sea and identifying the rights and responsibilities of carriers and owners of cargo. These rules were published in 1924 following an international convention and were subsequently given the force of law by many maritime nations.
Hague-visby rules: a set of rules, amending the hague rules published in 1968 and subsequently given the force of law by many maritime nations.
Hamburg rules: rules governing the rights and responsibilities of carrier and cargo interests which may be incorporated into a contract for the carriage of goods by sea either by agreement of the parties or statutorily. These rules were adopted by the united national convention on the carriage of goods by sea in 1978.
Harbor dues: various local charges against all seagoing vessels entering a harbor, to cover maintenance of channel depths, buoys, lights, etc. All harbors do not necessarily have this charge.
Harbor master: a person usually having the experience of a certificated master mariner and having a good knowledge of the characteristics of the port and its whole area. He administers the entire shipping movements that take place in and within reach of the port he is responsible for.
Hard aground: a vessel which has gone aground and is incapable of refloating under her own power.
Hard currency: a currency which is sound enough to be accepted internationally and which is usually fully convertible.
Harter act: (1893). This 1893 u.s. statute refers to merchandise or property transported from or between ports of the united states and foreign ports. It is now partially superseded by the us carriage of goods by sea act of 1936.
Hatch: an opening, generally rectangular, in a ship’s deck affording access into the compartment below.
Hawser: large strong rope used for towing purposes and for securing or mooring ships. Hawsers are now mostly made of steel.
Haz mat: an industry abbreviation for “hazardous material.”
Hearsay: secondhand information that a witness only heard about from someone else and did not see or hear himself. Hearsay is not admitted in court because it’s not trustworthy, though there are many exceptions.
Helm: a tiller or a wheel generally installed on the bridge or wheelhouse of a ship to turn the rudder during maneuvering and navigation. It is in fact the steering wheel of the ship.
Hoisting rope: a special flexible wire rope used for lifting. It is generally six strands with 19 wires in each strand and in most cases having a hemp rope at the center.
Hold: a general name for the spaces below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo. A hold on a tanker is usually just forward of #1 cargo tank. Some newer tankers have no hold.
Hopper barge: a barge which loads material dumped into it by a dredger and discharges the cargo through the bottom.
Hovercraft: a vessel used for the transportation of passengers and cargo riding on a cushion of air formed under it. It is very maneuverable and is also amphibious.
HMT: harbor maintenance tax.
Hull: shell or body of a ship.
Hydrofoil: a craft more or less similar to the hovercraft insofar as it flies over water and thus eliminates friction between the water and the hull. Under acceleration it rises above water but remains in contact with the surface through supporting legs.direct to that point.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained within this personal injury site is of a general nature and is not meant to be a restatement of any rules of law. Your use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should hire an attorney to obtain legal advice for your specific case.
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Personal injury is a legal term that describes a serious injury suffered by one person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another. Negligence or wrongful conduct can happen in the form of a car accident, medical malpractice, maritime accidents, or dangerous products.
Whether you were hurt in a car wreck, on an oil rig or suffered harm from a prescription drug, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, an experienced personal injury attorney can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. The personal injury attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been helping injury victims for more than two decades – and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
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Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in Louisiana. In 2008, there were thousands of car accidents, including 827 fatal traffic collisions – causing the death of 920 people. Considering that most of us must use a vehicle to travel to our jobs, our schools, stores and home, we are all at risk for becoming involved in a vehicle accident at some point in our lives.
The vehicle accident attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have devoted the past 25 years to representing injury victims in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We know that even the slightest mistake can quickly turn into a tragic accident – and if you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you have the right to file for financial compensation. Contact us at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request for a free evaluation of your claim.
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Maritime law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Maritime law encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat as a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers and many other individuals injured on a boat, rig or dock.
The Maritime Law attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been providing knowledge and experience to law firms across the country in the area of maritime law for more than a quarter of a century. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working in a maritime profession, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request.
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Dangerous drugs and dangerous medical products can often do more harm than the disease or condition they are treating. Despite FDA regulations, many products slip by with unknown and harmful side effects that could be caused by a flaw in design or production. Sometimes these side effects are known by the company, but the product is pushed through in order to avoid delays and make profit.
If you have been hurt by a prescription drug or other pharmaceutical product, the best thing that you can do for yourself and other patients is to come forward. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault of Louisiana know how to deal with the big drug companies and we work hard to help ensure that the injured receive justice. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We handle pharmaceutical litigation claims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
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Foodborne illnesses are highly preventable, yet they are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 325,000 people are hospitalized due to food poisoning and more than 5,000 die. Poor preparation and improper handling of food can expose thousands of people to dangerous diseases such as botulism, campylobacterioses, e.coli, listeria and salmonella.
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to contaminated food, contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault today. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including victims of food poisoning. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
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It is a difficult and emotional decision to place a mother, father or grandparent in a nursing home. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will experience the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. No matter how carefully you choose and investigate a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect, abuse and mistreatment do occur.
The nursing home negligence attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injury victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of people suffering from nursing home negligence, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If your loved one has experienced nursing home negligence, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We handle nursing home neglect cases from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across Louisiana.
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