Admiralty Lawyers

Your Rights at Sea

Being so badly injured at work that you are unable to go back can be very devastating. Medical bills pile up on top of your own monthly bills with little hope of any financial solutions. This has become a common occurrence for injured workers. They do not know what their legal rights are and employers sometimes take advantage of this. As a worker in the United States, you have a right to work in a safe environment. For a worker at sea, you are protected not only by American laws, but international laws as well.

Your legal rights as an injured seafarer or seaman are protected by the governance of admiralty law. This area of law covers not just the employees, but trade organizations, business owners, people involved in sea commerce and several other entities. Admiralty law is a very complex area of law that requires a great deal of knowledge in the many acts and regulations that fall under this area. Admiralty lawyers understand this area of law and are generally your best resource for legal advice.

Admiralty Law Legislation

There are several acts, including the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, that have been implemented to better define the legal rights of all parties involved in misconduct or negligence occurring off the coast.

The Jones Act contains rules that define employer and/or vessel owner liability in regards to injuries caused by their negligence. This act allows these injured workers to petition for compensation for daily allowances (lost wages, past and future) as well as medical benefits. Admiralty lawyers refer to the Jones Act frequently for their clients who are injured while working at sea. Admiralty lawyers do not rely on workers' compensation laws to try their cases since the laws applicable to their clients are considerably different.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is specific to injuries that occur on what's called "navigable waters." This legislation fills the gap that exists between the Jones Act and state workers' compensation laws. This act also covers non-sea workers that are injured on navigable waters. To fully understand how the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act applies to your situation, consult with an admiralty lawyer.

Admiralty Lawyers

As mentioned, admiralty law is a complicated area of law. It can be quite ill-advised to try to interpret it by yourself. You may already be overwhelmed with your current situation, so your next step is to contact an admiralty lawyer. The admiralty lawyers of Williams Kherkher will not only be able to explain the rights and options involved with your situation, but your first consultation is free of charge. Do not wait, contact us today.