Louisiana Maritime Accident & Injury Lawyers

Fighting For The Rights of the Injured

Were you or a loved one seriously injured in an accident? If so, our experienced Louisiana accident injury lawyers may be able to help. But you have to contact us right away. Learn more about our law firm and the types of accident injury cases we represent below.

Louisiana Maritime Accident & Injury Lawyers

Fighting For The Rights of the Injured

Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys

Louisiana Maritime Attorneys – Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been injured in an offshore accident, we can help. Insurance companies are not your friends, regardless of what they portray in television commercials. The maritime lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for over 40 years. Learn more below.

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has a team of lawyers that handle maritime/offshore injury legal cases. If a worker on an oil rig was injured from work and is seeking compensation, we help that injured worker obtain the most possible compensation that’s available to them. Often times if these workers don’t hire a good law firm, they’ll be given little amounts of compensation to cover their injuries. We can help, if you’ve been injured from an accident offshore, or coming to shore we’re ready to talk.

Legal systems around the world recognize that the law of the land does not necessarily apply well at sea. For injuries and other legal issues that arise offshore or on an inland waterway, maritime law is often used to settle legal disputes.

Maritime law covers marine shipping, commerce, and the transportation of passengers. Maritime law also covers the operation of offshore oil rigs and docks. That means that any injury sustained in a maritime context, by a passenger or a worker, in a commercial or recreational context, may fall under admiralty, another legal term for maritime law.

Jones Act Maritime Law & Other Louisiana Related Laws

Offshore oil rig

In Louisiana, several laws protect those who have been injured in a maritime or offshore incident. Federal legislation includes the Jones Act. Enacted in 1920, this law allows seamen who are injured on the job to bring a personal injury lawsuit against their employer. Atypically for maritime laws, plaintiffs have rights to a jury trial under the Jones Act.

For those not covered by the Jones Act (such as harbor workers), the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) fills in the gap by guaranteeing workers’ compensation for on-the-job maritime injuries. Benefits are paid out either through the employer’s insurance or through the Department of Labor.

Under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), if someone dies at sea because of the negligence of another person, the family of the deceased may bring a suit against the negligent party. The negligent party could be a company or an individual. Like the Jones Act and the LHWCA, DOHSA is federal law.

With a long coastline and an economy that relies heavily on fishing and offshore oil, maritime laws are important in Louisiana. Many workers in the state are protected under the Jones Act. The state of Louisiana also has its own strict regulations on boating and shipping safety equipment to protect both recreational boaters and workers. If these regulations are violated, the negligent party may be held responsible.

FAQs Regarding Maritime Law

Question: What should I do if I have suffered a maritime injury?

Answer: You should seek medical attention, taking care to thoroughly document your injuries. You should also seek legal advice to make sure your rights are protected.

Maritime offshore Lawyers image

Question: How do I know if I’m protected under the Jones Act?

Answer: If you are a “seaman,” you are protected. Generally, this means you are connected to a particular vessel or fleet and spend a significant portion of your working time at sea.

Question: What if I was injured because of an unsafe vessel?

Answer: Sometimes, injuries occur not because of a specific individual’s negligence, but because the vessel was unseaworthy or the crew unqualified. In this case, you may bring an unseaworthiness claim.

Question: If I work on a rig or a dredge, am I protected under the Jones Act?

Answer: Yes. According to the Jones Act, those are sea vessels.

Question: What if my “injury” was in fact illness due to chemical inhalation or other dangerous exposure?

Answer: Legally, this can still be considered an injury, and you may still bring a personal injury claim.

Question: If I’m a dockworker or a longshoreman, am I protected under the law?

Answer: Dockworkers are not specifically protected under the Jones Act, but they are protected by the LHWCA. If you were injured, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.

Question: What if my employer contests my workers’ compensation claim?

Answer: If you are being denied compensation, you should seek an attorney’s help to protect your rights.

Question: How quickly do I need to file a claim?

Answer: You should file as soon as possible and be sure to meet all deadlines. Louisiana has statutes of limitation (limits on how long after the injury you may file) that vary according to the type of vessel and what you are suing for.

Question: What kind of damages might I receive?

Answer: In a personal injury case under the Jones Act, you can receive damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, pains and suffering, disfigurement, and more.

Question: Why do I need an attorney if I suffered a maritime injury?

Answer: Often, whoever is responsible for your injury will want to avoid compensating you. That party will likely have a litigation team, so it’s important to have an attorney on your side who will pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Neblett, Beard & Arsenault Can Help

If you or a loved one has been injured at sea due to another person’s negligence, the maritime injury lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault can help. We have extensive maritime law experience and will work hard on your behalf, both in and out of the courtroom. We work with clients in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe, Lafayette, Alexandria and across the entire state.

Contact us to schedule your free consultation. You truly did find the best law firm if you’re seeking a maritime injury lawyer. Call (318) 561-2500 today.

Why Neblett, Beard & Arsenault Is Your Best Choice

You have many choices when it comes to personal injury attorneys, so why choose us? Our experience and results speak for themselves. Through our work ethic, commitment, and dedication, we are able to obtain maximum results. At Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, rest assured we understand the best approach for your unique claim.

 We value each and every one of our clients as an individual and our entire team—from our friendly receptionist to our highly skilled attorneys—will treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve. You will always feel like you are our top priority. While our large staff and comprehensive services offer the advantages of a big law firm, our personalized service and individual attention give our clients the feeling of a small-town family firm. With Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, you get the best of both worlds!

Over $1 Million

Over $1 Million Recovered Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

$2 Million

$2 Million Estimated Recovery for Asbestos-Related Claim

Over $1 Million

Auto Accident Injury Claim Involving Multiple Broken Bones

$4.5 Million

$4.5 Million Recovered for Brain Injury Related to Truck Accident

$65 Million

$65 Million Settlement for Injuries Due to Train Derailment

$21 Million

Recovered for a Worker Injured in a Plant Explosion

We’ve Recovered Over $10 Billion Dollars For Injury Victims

There are a number of personal injury law firms throughout the state of Louisiana. However, not all of them can claim they have won more than $10 Billion Dollars for their clients, but we can. That’s because we’ve been fighting for the rights of accident victims for more than 4 decades. Click the button below to view all of our case results. Or, if you have questions about a potential injury claim, give us a call at (318) 561-2500.

Notable Settlements & Recoveries

$1 Billion Dollar Pinnacle Hip Implant Verdict

$502 Million Pinnacle Hip Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson

$330 Million Post Katrina Oil Spill Settlement

$100 Million Recovery for Gasoline With High Sulphur Content

$9 Billion Verdict Against Eli Lilly and Takeda

 

 

 

Contact Us

Thank you for visiting our website. The law offices of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been fighting for the rights of injury victims for over 40 years.  Please contact us below to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24/7

Office Locations

Alexandria Office:

2220 Bonaventure Ct

Alexandria, LA 71301

Phone: (318) 561-2500

Fax: (318) 561-2591

Additional Areas Served:

Lake Charles, LA: (337) 855-4400

Baton Rouge, LA: (225) 343-3475

Shreveport, LA: (318) 635-5800

Lafayette, LA: (337) 289-9800

Monroe, LA: (318) 323-4455

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or as a legal opinion. The use of this website does not constitute or establish any form of attorney-client relationship or privilege between Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and any users or visitors to this website. No attorney client relationship exists unless a retainer agreement is signed.

Located in the central Louisiana city of Alexandria, our office is convenient to residents throughout the state. When you can't come to us, we'll come to you. Learn more about how you can join our team ©2023 Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy