Maritime Law
Have You Been Injured On Or Near The Water?
South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are home to some of the world’s busiest ports, the fourth longest river. The Port of South Louisiana is the nation’s largest port by tonnage and third in total trade. It is comprised of the ports of New Orleans, and Baton Rouge, which rank fourth, and fifteenth, respectively in total trade to all world ports. In terms of dollar value, total trade to all world ports, New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge, rank 12th, 16th, and 27th, respectively. About 6,000 vessels pass through the Port of New Orleans annually. This is to say nothing of Port Fourchon which on average services over 90% of the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater oil production with over 600 oil platforms within a 40-mile radius of Port Fourchon. This area furnishes at least 16 to 18 percent of the entire US oil supply. According to the North American Export Grain Association, as of August 2005, these ports serve as a gateway for nearly 55 to 70 percent of all U.S. exported corn, soy, and wheat.
In other words, its busy out there and unfortunately, accidents happen. The risks of catastrophic injury in this line of work are high. At Chouest & Smith, our experienced lawyers have helped get compensation for countless injured clients working on:
Docks
Ports
Harbors
Cargo Facilities
Crew Boats
Barges
Boats
Ships
Tug
Jack-ups
Production Platforms
Oil Rigs
Drawing from more than 40 years of experience, our goal is to make the process for your claim for compensation go as smoothly as possible.
You Have Rights. Do You Know What They Are?
If you were injured on a vessel, while working on a harbor or if at the time of your injury or illness, you were a member of the crew of any vessel, your claim may be covered by a special set of maritime laws. It is vital to your claim that you know your rights under these laws, including, but not limited to:
The Jones Act – Among many other rights as a crew member of a sea-based vessel injured on the job, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against your employer.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act –As an injured maritime employee working on the harbor, dry-docked vessel or cargo ports, you have a right to full payment for your medical treatment with zero copayments or deductible expenses.
The Seaman’s Protection Act – As a seaman, you have the right to report your employer for unsafe conduct or violations of maritime safety standards without fear of retaliation for doing so.
U.S. general maritime law – Other protections are made available through this vast range of historic and current case law and judicial doctrine.
The lawyer you choose to hire should have specific experience in this complex practice area. These are unique and complicated laws with many potential pitfalls for the unwary.
We Are Experienced Maritime Lawyers
Our lawyers at Chouest & Smith successfully litigated the first case to be tried under the new Seaman’s Protection Act, prevailing at trial in Washington, D.C., prevailing on review before the Administrative Review Board of the United States Department of Labor, on further appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta, Georgia, and ultimately prevailing in the United States Supreme Court on January 26, 2017 (Case Docket No. 16-1310).
Contact Us Now If You Or A Loved One Has Been Hurt on the Water
Chouest & Smith is a small firm with a well-respected reputation for helping clients get large results. We can’t guarantee the outcome of your claim, no attorney can. But we do commit to personalized attention and making the process of getting the compensation you have a right to receive as stress free as possible. Send us an online inquiry or call our office in Metairie at 504-455-1200 for a free consultation. We have been serving clients throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast since 1984.