Have You Been Injured On Or Near The Water?
South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are home to some of the nation’s most robust ports, the largest river, substantial fishing industries and its most active offshore oil fields. Many people make a really good living on or near the water even though it is a dangerous career.
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, shipyards, piers
- Cargo facilities
- Barges
- Boats
- Ships
- Tugs
- Fishing charters
- 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 Claim 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 Maritime-Related Injuries
Chouest & Smith is a small firm with a well-respected reputation for helping clients get large results. We do not 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 504-389-5344 for a free consultation. We have been serving clients throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast since 1984.
