Maritime Injury Lawyers

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Maritime Accident Victims. We are proud to have a reputation for aggressively fighting for the rights of injured workers.

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New Orleans Maritime Injury Lawyers Fighting for Injured Workers – Lambert Zainey

Working offshore, on the docks, or aboard vessels navigating Louisiana’s intricate waterways is vital to our economy, but it comes with inherent dangers. When accidents happen, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be devastating. Maritime law is a unique and complex field, distinct from standard workers’ compensation or personal injury law. If you’ve been injured in a maritime setting, you need lawyers who understand this specialized area and are dedicated to protecting your rights.

For decades, Lambert Zainey has been a trusted name in New Orleans, fiercely advocating for injured maritime workers and their families throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. We understand the challenges you face and have the experience, resources, and dedication to navigate the complexities of admiralty and maritime law to secure the compensation you deserve. This page serves as your central resource for understanding your rights and the types of maritime injury claims we handle.

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Why Choose Lambert Zainey as Your New Orleans Maritime Lawyers?

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your maritime injury claim. Here’s why injured workers trust Lambert Zainey:

Proven Track Record of Success: We have secured significant verdicts and settlements for injured maritime workers and their families. View Our Maritime Case Results.
Decades of Maritime Law Experience: We have been handling complex maritime cases for years, building a deep understanding of the laws, the industry, and the tactics used by employers and insurance companies.
Deep New Orleans & Louisiana Roots: We understand the local courts, the major maritime employers in the region, the specific hazards of the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River, and how to build strong cases within this unique environment.
Aggressive Representation: We are prepared to fight tirelessly to protect your rights and maximize your recovery, taking cases to trial when necessary.
Client-Focused Approach: We know you’re going through a difficult time. We provide personalized attention, clear communication, and compassionate guidance throughout the legal process. Read More About Our Maritime Attorneys.
No Fee Unless We Win: We handle maritime injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

We have represented injured maritime workers for over 40 years. We understand the laws that govern maritime employers and employees.

MEET OUR MARITIME ATTORNEYS

Companies We’ve Fought Against

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Understanding Maritime Law: Why It’s Different

Maritime injury law, also known as Admiralty Law, is a distinct body of federal law governing incidents that occur on navigable waters. It operates under different rules, statutes, and deadlines than typical state personal injury or workers’ compensation laws. Key differences include:

Specific Federal Laws: Laws like the Jones Act and LHWCA provide specific rights and remedies unavailable under state law.
Unique Legal Concepts: Doctrines like “unseaworthiness” and “maintenance and cure” have no direct equivalent in land-based injury law.
Jurisdictional Complexities: Determining whether state or federal maritime law applies, and where a claim should be filed, requires specialized knowledge.
Different Standards of Proof: The requirements to prove employer negligence under the Jones Act, for instance, are different (and often more favorable to the worker) than in standard negligence cases.

Navigating these complexities without an experienced maritime attorney can jeopardize your right to fair compensation.

case results

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Maritime Accident Victims

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$330 MILLION SETTLEMENT

Oil storage tank rupture at the Murphy Oil USA refinery in Chalmette, LA. The fastest class certification and resolution of a case of its type and magnitude to date.

SETTLED IN ONLY 12 MONTHS

Arco cryogenic platform explosion caused by improper cold cut of Southern Natural Gas pipeline. Settlement for the injured and deceased in approximately twelve months.

Who Do We Help? Maritime Workers We Represent

Lambert Zainey proudly represents a wide range of maritime workers injured in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast, including:

Seamen (covered by the Jones Act – captains, mates, deckhands, engineers, tankermen, pilots, crew on various vessels)
Longshoremen & Harbor Workers (covered by LHWCA – dockworkers, shipbuilders, repairmen, harbor construction workers)
Offshore Workers (on oil rigs, platforms, jack-up rigs, supply boats, lift boats, helicopters)
Commercial Divers
Inland Waterway Workers (on tugboats, barges, dredges)
Shipyard Workers
And other personnel injured on navigable waters or adjacent areas.

Your Rights Under Maritime Law: Key Statutes and Doctrines

Understanding which laws apply to your situation is the first step toward protecting your rights. Here are the primary laws and legal doctrines governing maritime injuries:

The Jones Act: Protecting Seamen

If you qualify as a “seaman” (generally, someone who spends a significant amount of time working aboard a vessel in navigation) and were injured due to your employer’s or a co-worker’s negligence, the Jones Act allows you to sue your employer for damages. This can include compensation for lost wages (past and future), medical expenses, pain and suffering, and disability.

Learn more about your rights under the Jones Act and Seaman status.

Unseaworthiness Claims: A Vessel Owner’s Duty

Vessel owners have an absolute duty to provide a “seaworthy” vessel. This means the vessel, its equipment, and its crew must be reasonably fit for their intended purpose. If your injury was caused by an unseaworthy condition (like faulty equipment, inadequate crew, or unsafe procedures), you may have a claim against the vessel owner, regardless of negligence.

Maintenance and Cure: Essential Support During Recovery

Injured seamen are generally entitled to “Maintenance” (payments covering reasonable living expenses like rent and food) and “Cure” (payments for necessary medical treatment) until they reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), regardless of who was at fault for the injury. Employers must provide these benefits promptly.

Get details on Maintenance and Cure benefits.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Covering Dockworkers & More

This federal act provides benefits (similar to workers’ compensation) for injured maritime workers who are not seamen, such as dockworkers, shipbuilders, and harbor construction workers injured on or near navigable waters. It covers medical expenses and provides compensation for lost wages. In some cases, LHWCA-covered workers can also pursue third-party claims against negligent parties other than their employer.

Explore your rights under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA): Claims for Fatal Accidents Offshore

DOHSA governs claims for wrongful death occurring more than three nautical miles offshore. It allows surviving family members to recover specific types of damages, primarily pecuniary (financial) losses.

Find out about claims under the Death on the High Seas Act.

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA): Offshore Platform Injuries

OCSLA often applies to injuries occurring on fixed platforms or structures attached to the seabed on the Outer Continental Shelf (beyond state waters). It typically adopts the law of the adjacent state (like Louisiana’s LHWCA provisions) for injury claims.

Learn how OCSLA affects offshore platform injury claims.

Offshore Injuries (Platforms, Rigs & Vessels)

The Gulf of Mexico is a hub of offshore activity. We represent workers injured on fixed platforms, jack-up rigs, drillships, supply boats (OSVs), crew boats, lift boats, and helicopters servicing the offshore industry. These cases often involve complex interactions between the Jones Act, LHWCA, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Injured Offshore? Learn about your rights.

Common Maritime Accidents and Injuries We Handle

Maritime work environments present unique hazards. We have extensive experience handling claims arising from all types of maritime accidents, including the below. These accidents can lead to severe injuries, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, burns, amputations, broken bones, and tragically, fatalities.

Slip, trip, and fall hazards on wet or cluttered decks
Exposure to hazardous materials
Inadequate crew training or staffing
Failure to provide proper safety gear or protective equipment
Vessel collisions or allisions due to navigational errors
Fires and explosions
Excessive work hours leading to fatigue
Unsafe personnel transfers (e.g., swing ropes, baskets)
Defective or poorly maintained equipment (winches, cranes, lines, safety gear)
Failure to follow safety procedures (e.g., lock-out/tag-out, hot work permits)

These accidents can lead to severe injuries, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, burns, amputations, broken bones, and tragically, fatalities.

>> See more about Common Maritime Injuries and Accident Types.

Navigating Inland Waterway and River Accidents

Louisiana’s rivers, canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway are bustling with commercial traffic, including tugboats, barges, and dredges. Accidents on these inland waters present their own unique challenges and are often governed by the Jones Act or general maritime law. We understand the specific hazards of inland navigation and represent workers injured on these vital routes.

>> Read about Inland Waterway and River Accident claims.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered?

Depending on the specific laws that apply (Jones Act, LHWCA, Unseaworthiness, etc.) and the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover damages for:

Past and future medical expenses
Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Past and future lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Disfigurement and physical impairment
Vocational rehabilitation costs
Maintenance and Cure benefits (for seamen)

In cases of fatal accidents, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims for financial losses and potentially loss of consortium or survivor’s grief under applicable laws like DOHSA or the Jones Act.

Frequently Asked Questions about Maritime Injuries

Knowing your rights is the first step toward securing fair compensation after a maritime injury. This section answers key questions to empower you with the information you need to protect your claim.

At Lambert Zainey, we handle maritime injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees upfront. We only collect a fee if we win your case and recover compensation for you. Our initial consultation is always free.

Strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, apply. For Jones Act and general maritime law claims, it’s typically three years from the date of injury. LHWCA claims have different deadlines (generally one year for filing a claim but 30 days to notify their employer of the injury). It’s crucial to act quickly to protect your rights.

Generally, you must have a substantial connection to a vessel or fleet of vessels in navigation, and your work must contribute to the vessel’s mission. Determining seaman status can be complex and is fact-specific. We can evaluate your situation during a free consultation.

Be very cautious. Initial offers are often far less than what your case is truly worth. Insurance adjusters represent the company’s interests, not yours. Always consult with an experienced maritime attorney before signing any documents or accepting any settlement.

While you may need to see a company-designated doctor initially, under Maintenance and Cure, seamen generally have the right to choose their own treating physician for ongoing care. We can advise you on your specific rights regarding medical treatment.

The Jones Act covers “seamen” injured due to negligence, allowing lawsuits for a wide range of damages. LHWCA covers land-based maritime workers (like longshoremen) and operates more like a no-fault workers’ compensation system, providing scheduled benefits for medical care and lost wages.

Take Action: Get Your Free Maritime Injury Consultation

Don’t delay in seeking legal advice after a maritime injury. Strict deadlines apply to filing claims. Contact the experienced New Orleans maritime injury lawyers at Lambert Zainey today to understand your rights and options.

Your consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation. Let us put our experience to work for you.

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