Claims Handled By Houston Maritime Lawyers

There are various grounds for seeking legal claims against a ship operator. A Houston maritime lawyer can represent ship crew, officials and passengers seeking compensation for injuries or damages they suffered while on board. Federal maritime provisions set specific liabilities and actionable offenses to ensure the safety of both the crew and passengers. Consulting a Houston maritime lawyer will give claimants a good estimate of possible compensation they can receive from a ship operator.

A professional maritime attorney does not approach maritime cases in the same way as an average personal injury lawyer does. A deep understanding of the major provisions related to offshore injury claims, Jones Act claims and port worker claims is needed.

Different Types of Maritime Claims

Pursuant to the Jones Act, crew members of the vessel who are injured can file a claim for compensation for injuries incurred while on the job. The best recourse for these aggrieved parties is to consult a Houston maritime lawyer to assist them in enforcing these claims.

Unlike the Jones Act, general maritime legislation contains broader provisions relating to the injured seaman's right to claim compensation and damages. Similarly, these maritime laws also impose upon the ship owners to maintain their vessels in top condition and to provide assistance in the event of injury.

Compensation under Maritime Claims Laws

Seamen are eligible to receive compensation every time they get injured at work, regardless of who is at fault. Maintenance support includes provision for day-to-day living expenses (housing and food, for example). Cure provides for the right of seamen to have adequate medical attention for their injury. Maintenance claims also cover offshore injuries beyond a typical passenger or freight ship. For instance, the high chance of accidents and death in oil rigging platforms at sea requires oil operators to provide the same protection to their workers. It is not uncommon for maritime and offshore workers to be denied of these rights, in which case a Houston maritime lawyer is the only means to a claim settlement.

For families and loved ones left behind by a deceased seaman, they can file wrongful death claims. A Houston maritime lawyer can help the decedent's representatives in pursuing these claims for compensation, indemnity, and damages.

Admittedly, most seamen and other maritime workers are not aware of the rights afforded to them by law. Sometimes, going to court is the only recourse to pursue these claims to the fullest extent, and in most cases, they are undercompensated for their injury due to their lack of legal knowledge. To afford full protection and enforcement of these rights, a Houston maritime lawyer can assist the aggrieved parties in seeking these benefits. 

Speak to a Houston Jones Actattorney today regarding your claims for compensation. Consult the Houston maritime lawyers at Richard J. Plezia & Associates.

Contributing Factors For Drilling Rig Injuries, According To Houston Offshore Injury Lawyers

Natural gas and oil are usually dug up from the soil, but these resources can also be found in many of the world's harsh environments. One can find these deposits on the desert; others can be found at the bottom of the sea, which Houston offshore injury lawyers know is one of the most hazardous environments. Working in these kinds of jobs can expose the worker to dangers to life and limb. When glitches arise, these could lead to injuries or death.

An injured rigger suffers not only physical but also emotional hurt. This often results from frustrations arising from legal conflicts over their claims for compensation. For these legal battles, seeking the help of a Houston offshore injury lawyer is the best recourse to enforce one's rights to work safety and compensation for injuries.

The legal assistance from a Houston offshore injury lawyer is a huge boost to an injured worker's cause to get compensation and enforce his rights. Here are a couple of factors that increase a drill rigger's risk of injury of death:

The noise that is generated by the drilling machine can cause ear drum problems. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide ear plugs to prevent such injuries.

Malfunctioning tools. When an employer has not audited equipment to ensure it is fully and properly functioning, a worker may become injured and permanently disabled if the equipment fails.

Overworking employees. Operating a rig with a pared down staff to shave operating costs can lead to working too many long hours in order to get the job done. Overly worked employees are more likely to make mistakes because of fatigue.

Insufficient training. Employers who rush their workers to do the job without adequate training may be held liable for the resulting injuries that these workers incur. Poor training leads to ineptitude and clumsiness on the job, which contributes to an increased risk for injuries or death.

This is not a comprehensive list, but it illustrates how easily life on a drilling rig can lead to life-altering injury or even death as a result of employer negligence. When an employer's actions -- or in some cases, inaction -- leads to dire consequences, the law provides recourse for the employee or his family to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential and other damages. A qualified Houston offshore injury lawyer is the best person to talk to in order to determine what rights you have following an injury in this type of work environment. 

Preserve your right to obtain reparation for injuries sustained. Discuss your injury issues with a trusted and experienced maritime attorney in Houston. Speak with the Houston TX offshoreinjury attorneys at Richard J. Plezia & Associates.

Houston Jones Act Attorneys: The Role Of The Seaman's Injury Log In Maritime Claims

When seamen are injured on the job, injuries must be reported right away to the captain or mate to be documented correctly. It's important to remember that an injured seaman has three years to report the injury and to seek the services of a Houston Jones Act attorney from the date the injury took place to receive proper compensation. This compensation comes in two forms.

First, seamen are entitled to maintenance while they are recovering from an injury. Maintenance includes living expenses while undergoing medical treatment and reimbursement for the time lost from work. Maritime claims are best filed as soon as possible after the injury has occurred.

The second is called cure. This amount covers reimbursements for medical costs incurred by the injured seaman.

Both forms of compensation are given to seamen who are injured in the course of their employment on the vessel. A Houston Jones Act attorney can help injured seamen in these proceedings and help them claim their rightful indemnities.

An Injured Seaman's Right to Receive Compensation

Seaman's rights to file claims for compensation, and the compensation that those rights entitle seamen to receive are closely guarded and protected by the court system. And the seaman is entitled to compensation for injury and medical treatment regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This is an important point to remember when seeking the services of a qualified Houston Jones Act attorney.

Not all injuries arise from fault or negligence. In certain instances, it could just be an unfortunate event that befell a particular seaman. Nevertheless, these events should be reported for documentation purposes, which can be used in filing claims in the future.

In cases where the injury resulted from the fault or negligence of the employer, the injured seaman can claim maintenance and cure compensation. In addition, maritime laws also allow the latter to file for an action for torts and damages.

Seaman's Injury Log is an Important Document

A Houston Jones Act attorney can advise seamen as to their rights relating to occupational safety and claims for indemnity arising from injuries incurred in the course of their employment.

As a preliminary step in enforcing these rights, the concerned seamen are required to report the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of the injury. This is a prerequisite before filing the necessary actions for compensation or damages in court.

For this purpose, seaman's injury logs should be maintained and updated regularly by vessel owners or operators, in accordance with Coast Guard specifications. These logs are required to be updated in the event of any significant injury on a vessel. For assistance regarding these maritime claims and other related matters, it is best to consult a Houston Jones Act attorney.

Should accidents occur, injured seaman can claim compensation for injuries sustained on board the vessel. Speak to a Houston Jones Act attorney today. Discuss your case with the Houston offshore injury lawyers at Richard J. Plezia & Associates.

For Maritime Claims, Consult A Houston Maritime Lawyer

Maritime casualties occur once in awhile. In view of the injuries sustained, aggrieved parties usually resort to legal remedies to obtain redress and vindication of their rights. For these legal purposes, it is highly recommended that parties obtain the services of a Houston maritime lawyer to enforce their right to claim compensation for injuries.

Maritime claims are governed by specific law in Texas. A Houston maritime lawyer can help injured workers seek the maximum claims allowed by Texas court. Due to the risks associated with maritime jobs, claimants should hire a lawyer who knows specific employee protections guaranteed by state law.

Knowing the right compensation for on-the-job injuries is the expertise of a Houston maritime lawyer. In addition, this legal professional can help aggrieved maritime workers file appropriate actions on account of the fault or negligence of the ship owner or for unfairly paid compensation.

Claims of negligence may be for injuries from unseaworthy equipment, improper safety equipment, unsecured loads and more. A maritime attorney can assist in these cases, particularly if you have been undercompensated by your company.

In addition, a Houston maritime lawyer can also assist injured passengers who boarded U.S.-registered vessels. These aggrieved passengers may file separate actions or consolidate it under one lawsuit against the vessel owner when unsafe equipment, negligence, fault, or inadequate emergency services are to blame for your injury..

Bringing claims to ship operators starts with a thorough consultation with a lawyer. When seeking the service of a Houston maritime lawyer, the aggrieved parties must clarify what legal rights they can invoke to win a compensation. A Houston maritime lawyer should know specific liabilities that may be brought against the shipping operator based on initial consultation. Experienced lawyers will take time to study the nature of the circumstances that befell a victim and assess how maritime law can be applied to win the maximum possible compensation.

With the high costs of litigation, many practitioners in this area of law welcome a contingency fee arrangement where the payment of attorney's fees depends on having a favorable judgment obtained by the concerned party's counsel.

The Houston maritime lawyers at Richard J. Plezia & Associates have decades of experience in maritime claims for injured seamen and offshore workers. Contact them today to discuss your case.

A Jones Act attorney in Houston can help you enforce your right to claim compensation for injuries sustained in the course of employment. Seek legal assistance from a Houston maritimeattorney at Richard J. Plezia & Associates today.

Offshore Injury Law Firm In Houston: Getting The Compensation You Deserve For Your Maritime Injury

The services of an offshore injury law firm in Houston would be available for cases such as a maritime worker who has become ill or experienced injury while on the job. Ideally, a company should be willing to compensate an offshore injury. However, more and more companies now take measures of protection against a claim such as this. For this reason, it might become necessary for a maritime worker to seek appropriate legal assistance.

Bad things happen even to good people. Therefore, you can never be too sure that you won't fall victim to an accident while at sea. When this happens, it is only fair that you get duly compensated, but this doesn't happen in all cases for one reason or the other. With the services of an offshore injury law firm in Houston, you can effectively fight for what is rightfully yours.

To ensure that compensation is made and fair but also to do battle on behalf of the worker, an offshore injury law firm in Houston would prove essential. With professional services, there is no reason for a person to fall victim. Following we provided some examples of key benefits associated with using the services of a law firm.

A reputable offshore injury law firm in Houston offers the services of highly professional attorney who hs in-depth knowledge and expertise specific to maritime workers who become ill or experience injury, regardless if the job is on or offshore.

Typically, an attorney with an offshore injury law firm in Houston will be able to secure better compensation for the worker than if the worker tried to secure compensation without legal assistance. Having specialized knowledge, an attorney who provides representation in this field is aware of legal opportunities that would otherwise be overlooked.

The value of the compensation can change depending on the details availed in court. An attorney working with an offshore injury law firm in Houston would know the kind of information that would increase the value of your compensation. They normally carry out their own investigations into the incident and sift out the most vital information for presentation in court. For instance, say you were injured and the lawyer could prove that it was due to negligence on the part of the employer, then your compensation would likely increase.

Large companies tend to take those represented by an offshore injury law firm in Houston more seriously. This is because the possibility of moving to court looms large then. An injury lawyer would also know which buttons to press to make the company cede more in compensation as they are conversant with the personal injury laws.

Although hiring an attorney is highly recommended regardless of the employer, this would be vital for larger corporations. Most large companies are well aware that a breakdown in negotiations is likely, which means going to court. With outstanding legal assistance, negotiations would be more favorable, which ultimately means being awarded more compensation for the on-the-job illness or injury.

The Houston maritime law attorneys at Richard J. Plezia & Associates have decades of experience in helping injured maritime workers. Visit their website today to learn more about this well established offshore injury law firm in Houston.

Fighting Maritime Piracy Under International Laws

Maritime piracy has existed practically as long as maritime transporting and marketing. Understanding a little about the history of prosecuting pirates and in what ways intercontinental legislation has changed will help a maritime lawyer regarding circumstances concerning sufferers involving this kind of criminal offence.

Criminal Offenses Regarding Trade

In past times, maritime practices rapidly evolved to provide jurisdiction to any region to be able to prosecute maritime pirates. That was on the grounds that people that robbed the freight from freighters and additionally wounded crewmembers or travelers were definitely deemed invaders among all humankind as well as enemies of marketing.

Maritime piracy triggers the prices of merchandise transported by means of ocean to increase, both by means of lowering the availability of products on the open marketplace, and by setting off premiums to increase.

High Courtroom In Regards To The Ocean

Those charged with maritime piracy were frequently susceptible to summary trials aboard naval vessels. The commanders of naval boats associated with a land were thought to be permitted to conduct trials whenever they or possibly their deck hands viewed or perhaps obtained information about acts of piracy within the high seas.

The result from the extensive leeway that marine commanders and admiralty courts had with regard to getting convictions for maritime piracy was that piracy was efficiently under control right up until pretty late in the 20th century, when pirates became functioning off of the coastline of Somalia.

Hot Spot Of Maritime Piracy Off Somalia Coast

At least one good reason pirates picked waters off of the coastline of Somalia to be able to gain access to freight or control vessels to get ransom was that the rule of law in Somalia had had been unsuccessful. There was clearly nobody within Somalia in order to prosecute acts of piracy. A few other governing bodies were generally reluctant to file a claim against these types of offences due to its expenses as well as political implications. Nearby places were in some cases not wanting to always be perceived as prosecutors of those that systematically extracted funds or even goods from First World lands and/or firms.

Maritime Piracy And International Rules

There was some discussion of trying acts connected with piracy committed on the ocean in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The arguments against doing it are generally that it would stretch the resources of the court and also sidetrack the court from its key mission of trying court cases of genocide, war crimes, and other such criminal activity that happen to be regarded as serious criminal offenses regarding mankind. Although individuals are usually wounded not to mention murdered in piratical acts, piracy is regarded as by many people to be more like an economic crime than towards humankind.

In 1947, the U . N . started the United Nations Convention in regards to the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This unique gathering offered a specific concise explanation of piracy, with which a maritime lawyer ought to be well acquainted. Bringing legal charges against piratical activity is regarded as within the jurisdiction of any region, due to the fact all nations are suffering from piracy. UNCLOS sets forth rules regarding prosecuting charged pirates to make sure that their fundamental human rights are not broken.

Identifying Maritime Piracy

The particular definition of maritime piracy within UNCLOS is much more particular compared to preceding descriptions under world wide regulations. The UNCLOS meaning consists of acts committed onboard aircraft and also seagoing ships.

Even more important for a maritime lawyer, the UNCLOS explanation describes that acts need to be committed outside of the jurisdiction associated with a state. If an act occurs within the territorial waters of any nation, it will be inside of the jurisdiction of the particular land. A maritime lawyer should be aware of that a certain amount of locations are usually not wanting to prosecute piracy under intercontinental jurisdiction because they are apprehensive that the charged, if prosecuted efficiently, may well request asylum for themselves as well as family when they have served their term of prison time.

In the event you've ever been the victim of maritime piracy, check with the knowledgeable offshore injury lawyers in Texas at Richard J. Plezia & Associates to discover just what choices are available.

Visiting A Maritime Lawyer For The First Time

Maritime law can be a huge, as well as complex, portion of law which could deal with a variety of issues. Regardless of your distinctive need, deciding on your maritime attorney is going to be important to the success involving your claim or transaction. Here are several crucial issues to consider any time getting together with a potential maritime attorney initially:

1. What's Their Certain Area of Maritime Law Knowledge?

As mentioned before, maritime laws cover a assortment of claims and requirements. Today, a maritime issue may also normally cross international boundaries so you should really know what is the complete percentage of cases taken care of via the maritime legal professional. You want to make sure that your type of claim falls in a legal area where the legal representative already is spending much of their time.

2. Precisely how Profound is Their Knowledge of That Part of Maritime Law?
It's also advisable to check with your potential maritime attorney the amount of time he or she has been handling your style of case. Since knowledge of a lot of countries' maritime laws plus international conventions will be important, you are going to also want to ask about how many other jurisdictions as well as legal systems they've been required to navigate in cases. You'll want to surely additionally find out about their success rate with your style of circumstance.

3. Can The Maritime Lawyer Describe The Legal Issues As Well As Legal System For you Clearly?

Your legal representative would certainly always be your representative in all talks along with other parties and in legal proceedings, if they ever come to be a necessity. On the other hand, this is still your claim so you want to be an engaged participant in it. When you talk with a prospective maritime lawyer, the individual should be able to offer you a very clear, fundamental explanation of maritime law and courts. As soon as you discuss the details regarding your case, he or she should also be in a position to be able to distinctly explain what some of your legal alternatives could possibly be.

This particular dialog during an initial conference is essential for a couple reasons. First, by hearing your potential legal choices through the many attorney candidates you speak to, you're able to get a fundamental impression,  a number of sources, of your legal predicament. Maybe even more important, you will also get a sense of your partnership as well as quality of interaction with every maritime lawyer with which you speak. Possessing a sturdy personal connection, with straightforward conversation, together with your lawyer is both useful to becoming successful and decreasing the tension involving dealing with legal issues.

4. Assist Your Maritime Legal professional Help You

The level of your connection with the attorney at law will likely will depend on exactly how well you speak with him or her. Even if you happen to finally choose not to use that individual legal professional, your get together with that lawyer is still covered with the attorney-client privilege, so be truthful. Provide answers to questions the lawyer has of you completely and also honestly. You aren't doing yourself any favors in your search for the ideal legal professional in case you keep important information and / or mislead the legal representative.

It is also helpful to your maritime lawyer if you bring in any sort of important paperwork, photographs, as well as information along with you.

If you are seeking maritime legal representatives who definitely have an extensive range of experience with maritime claims, get in touch with Richard J. Plezia & Associates today.