Offshore Accident and Maritime Injury Lawyers in Louisiana

Louisiana is well-known for its culture of good music and good food, its beautiful ecological treasures, and of course, its miles and miles of coastline. The shipping, import and export, and oil and gas industries are all booming due to Louisiana’s strategic position at the mouth of the Mississippi and access to the rich oil deposits under the Gulf of Mexico. It’s no surprise that thousands of people in our state are employed by vital maritime industries.

With all the comings and goings of ships, dangerous working conditions on offshore rigs and in port, and the dynamic and dangerous weather of the Gulf, hundreds of maritime workers are injured every year on the job. Some of these injuries are caused by true accidents without blame, but the vast majority can be attributed to poor maintenance, carelessness, negligence, and other types of human error. In these cases, determining who holds liability for the victims’ injuries can be complicated.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a maritime accident in Louisiana, you need a personal injury lawyer with experience in maritime law to help you navigate your claim and recover the compensation you deserve. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has 679+ years of combined legal experience practicing maritime law in Louisiana, so you can trust that we’ve got your back—whether your case qualifies under the Jones Act, Death on the High Seas Act, the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or any other maritime law.

What Causes Offshore Injuries and Maritime Accidents?

Studies have shown that fully 80% of all maritime accidents can be directly attributed to negligence or a lack of proper safety protocols. What this means is that at least 80% of offshore accidents are preventable—so if you’ve been injured in an accident at sea, there’s someone that can be held responsible.

Due to the nature of offshore work, many accidents result in catastrophic injuries, however, certain injuries are more common than others. The main contributors to a potentially deadly maritime accidents include the following:

• Heavy machinery that can malfunction, especially when unmaintained
• Unmaintained or missing protective gear, or inadequate safety protocols
• Fatigue resulting from long working hours and overwork
• Physical injuries from overexertion
• Inexperience or a lack of training
• Reckless behavior including drug and alcohol abuse
• Electric shocks
• Burns
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Machine and plant explosions
• Falling overboard or from heights
• Piracy

Maritime Injuries That Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys Can Help With

If you’ve been injured offshore, or if you’ve lost a loved one due to a maritime accident, contact the maritime injury lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We’re dedicated to making sure our clients are properly compensated after they suffer damages due to others’ negligence or carelessness. We’ve helped clients recover damages after a variety of maritime accidents, including

• Barge and tugboat accidents
• Boat and watercraft accidents
• Commercial fishing accidents
• Deck hand injuries
• Dredging accidents
• Offshore helicopter crashes
• Jones Act claims
• Offshore and inland drilling accidents
• Offshore platform or vessel explosions
• River and inland water accidents

Statute of Limitation Changes in Louisiana:

Recent changes in Louisiana law have extended the statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2024, from one year to two years. Any injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024 will still have a 1-year statute of limitation. Learn more about Louisiana’s New Statute of Limitations here.

• 1-year for injuries sustained before July 1, 2024.
• 2-years for injuries suffered after July 1, 2024.

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time frame for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, this is known as the “prescriptive period,” which determines how long you have to take legal action against the responsible party after an injury occurs.

How Is Maritime Law Different From Other Types of Law?

Maritime injury law cases are greatly complicated by the fact that they usually fall under the jurisdiction of maritime, or admiralty, law. This branch of law is quite different than what we usually mean when we talk about law, and has its own court system, its own protocols, and its own set of laws.

When you’ve been injured on or near a body of water, you need an experienced maritime lawyer to help your case succeed. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are well-acquainted with maritime law, and are especially accomplished in cases involving the Jones Act, Death on the High Seas Act, and Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

Jones Act

The Jones Act protects shipping, oil and gas, and other industry workers qualifying as “seamen” to recover compensation for the damages they receive while at sea. They can seek payment from the companies or individuals responsible for their injuries, whether they were caused by negligence, recklessness, or an unseaworthy vessel.

However, to qualify as a “seaman” under the Jones Act, a worker must spend at least 30% of their working time aboard ship. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for protections under the Jones Act, give our admiralty lawyers a call for a free legal consultation.

Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)

After a death over international waters—that is, more than 12 miles away from shore—the victim’s surviving family may be eligible for a claim under the Death Under the High Seas Act. The DOHSA protects employees of shipping companies, oil companies, and other businesses operating in international waters, as well as passengers of vessels like cruise ships and airplanes flying over the ocean.

Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Shipyard jobs are some of the most dangerous occupations in the country, with some estimates placing them as more dangerous than jobs in the construction and demolition industries. Longshoremen and harbor workers are especially at risk for crushing injuries, toxic exposure, and other injuries caused by the materials and machinery they interact with every day.

The LHWCA provides a legal framework for these workers to seek damages after they’ve been injured in an accident at work. However, they don’t apply to everyone—if you’re not sure whether you apply for coverage under the LHWCA, you can always call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation.

Trust Gordon McKernan and His Team of Maritime Accident Injury Lawyers to Handle Your Claim

If you’re injured on a ship or around the water, you need a lawyer with experience arguing those kinds of cases in maritime court. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have been practicing maritime law since 1986, so we know the ins and outs of the law. We also have the contacts and soft skills necessary to navigate the complex waters of maritime injury litigation. We always fight to achieve the best financial recovery possible for our clients, and we don’t accept payment unless we win or settle your claim-that’s the G Guarantee.

If you’ve been injured in an accident on or near a body of water, don’t hesitate—call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation.