Boating and Marine Accident Lawyers
Our marine accident lawyers have a long history and proven track record of compensating people injured in maritime accidents, whether they are maritime workers on land or at sea or passengers on board.
While not all are catastrophic, and in fact, many barely register with public notice, even the smallest marine accident is a reminder of how important it is to follow safety rules and regulations. Marine accidents are often far-reaching, affecting not only the lives of those involved in the accident – such as the crew and passengers of a ship – but also affecting marine life and the environment.
Marine accidents can involve vessels ranging from small private pleasure craft to large work vessels such as commercial fishing vessels, oil tankers, tugboats and cargo ships. These accidents can also affect structures such as oil rigs, cranes and even the shipyard itself.
US maritime law is a body of laws, regulations, and international treaties and agreements that govern activities in any navigable waters, on the high seas, and, in some cases, on land. Federal courts have jurisdiction over maritime law, and while seamen working on ocean-going vessels do not qualify for traditional workers' compensation coverage, maritime laws provide some remedies for employment-related injuries.
Accidents with small boats
Our marine accident lawyers handle both personal injury and marine claims, depending on the type of vessel involved, the location of the accident and other considerations. Our boating accident attorneys handle many cases involving pleasure craft, including open and cabin motorboats, touring and charter boats, and more customized craft such as jet skis. Boating accidents involving smaller vessels could be subject to either US maritime law or civil liability laws, depending on the circumstances.
Alcohol or drug use
You are not following the rules of navigation
Excessive speed, especially in areas
where there are other, smaller vessels
Reckless maneuver
Failure to provide safety equipment on the train
Cruise ship accidents
Although relatively rare, cruise ship accidents do happen, turning long-awaited dream vacations into nightmares at sea for dozens of passengers. Cruise ships can capsize or run aground as a result of bad
weather, mechanical problems or negligence. Bad weather can also result in passengers becoming ill or falling and injuring themselves. Due to weather conditions or other accidents, ships may run aground at sea, exposing passengers to hazards from the elements of nature, such as air conditioning, If you are injured while on a cruise, you will need a marine accident attorney who is familiar with the various maritime laws and regulations that will affect your case. Your attorney must also have the experience and proven track record to bring your claim to a successful resolution.
If you are injured while on a cruise, you will need a marine accident attorney who is familiar with the various maritime laws and regulations that will affect your case. Your attorney must also have the experience and proven track record to bring your claim to a successful resolution.
Cargo ship accidents
Cargo ships and container ships are similar vessels that can carry large and heavy cargoes of commercial goods and materials. Companies use them to travel between US ports or to transport goods internationally. Other types of cargo ships may include tankers, which carry oil, petrochemicals and other liquid cargoes, and dry bulk carriers.
One of the major causes of accidents in cargo tankers is explosions. Cargo tanker explosions can result in the loss of the ship, its cargo and loss of life, as well as environmental damage.
Cargo ships can also pose risks to crews working to load and unload the ships, those working on the ship while transporting goods and others who come into contact with the ship at sea or in port. Crane accidents can take place in ports or on ships. Crane accidents are often the result of faulty cables or winches, or may also be due to operator negligence or inexperience. Different rules apply to workers injured offshore from those injured in port.
Cargo ship crew, workers, and other seamen are not eligible for workers' compensation, but can seek compensation for injuries sustained at sea through various remedies provided under US maritime law. If you are a marine worker who has been injured on the job, the personal injury and marine accident attorneys at Beasley Allen bring the skill, knowledge and experience.
Shipyard Accidents
Shipyards, where ships are built and maintained, are fraught with danger. Accidents in shipyard facilities include placing and welding accidents and illnesses from inhalation of toxic fumes released during welding and other toxic exposures. Shipyard workers who are injured on the job usually qualify for workers' compensation. Conversely, seafarers working on ships (seafarers) can seek compensation for injuries at work through remedies provided by maritime law, most notably the Jones Act - a century-old federal law that gives injured seamen the right to sue their employer for damages.
If you are an employee of the maritime industry and have suffered an on-the-job injury, Beasley Allen's marine accident attorneys will work with you to identify and pursue your best course of legal action—one that will maximize your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. you need and deserve.
Oil and gas platform accidents
An oil or gas platform, also commonly called an offshore platform or oil rig, is a large structure in a large body of water, usually the ocean, with the facilities for drilling wells, extracting and processing oil or gas, and its temporary storage for transport to onshore refineries, The platform can be fixed to the ocean floor, attached to or include an artificial island, or can be floating and mobile. Large oil and gas platforms will provide accommodation for the crew, who live and work on the platform for set periods of time.
These are complex constructions with heavy machinery and complex operating procedures. These platforms are in an often volatile environment, subject to the vagaries of weather, marine life and the elements.
Perhaps the most famous oil rig tragedy is recent. On April 20, 2010, a massive offshore oil rig known as the Deepwater Horizon exploded and caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles from the Louisiana coastal wetlands. The Deepwater Horizon was one of 14 offshore oil rigs owned and operated by Transocean in the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven workers were killed.
Firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard battled for two days to contain the fire, but the rig sank on April 22, releasing nearly a million gallons of diesel fuel into Gulf waters and creating an almost unstoppable crude leak. It took four months to seal the well and stop the flow of oil. This eventually became the largest oil disaster the US has ever seen.
0 Comments