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.