If you were injured in a maritime setting, contact Jon Robinson at Strongpoint Law Firm immediately for a free case evaluation.
Maritime injuries are often significant injuries that can result in catastrophic damage, even death. And they can happen to anyone. Typically, these injuries occur in a marine setting, like:
- Ships
- Vessels
- Tugboats
- Barges
- Dredges
- Fishing Vessels
- Ferries
- Cruise Ships
- River Boats
- Tour Boats
- Recreational Vessels
- Jet Skis
Of course, seamen and captains of vessels are in harm’s way, but so are other people on the water. Therefore, any of the following types of claimants may have a maritime injury claim:
- Crewmembers
- Captains
- Vessel Passengers
- Recreational Vessel or Pleasure Craft Passengers
- Swimmers
- Water-skiers
- People Working At Piers and Ports (Like Security Guards)
Further, maritime law also incorporates products liability and strict liability. That means that an injured person may have a claim against the manufacturer of defective equipment.
Typically, when a maritime injury lawsuit is filed, the defendant is the operator of the vessel, the owner of the vessel, and even the vessel itself. Sometimes it is necessary to “arrest” the vessel by filing a lien against the vessel.
If the injury involves a products liability claim, then the plaintiff may have to sue the manufacturers and suppliers of the defective product. Any entity which introduced the product into the “stream of commerce” may be liable for the maritime injury.
Sometimes government agencies may be liable, too. For instance, in Louisiana, the state waived sovereign immunity from lawsuits for injuries to persons. Absent a legislative restriction, the state may be sued for certain personal injuries, including maritime and Jones Act injuries.
Therefore, a maritime injury defendant could be the:
- Vessel Operator
- Vessel Owner
- Vessel
- Defective Product Manufacturer
- Defective Product Supplier
Substantial damages are available in maritime injury claims. For instance, an injured plaintiff or beneficiary may recover:
- Past and Future Lost Income
- Future Lost Earning Power
- Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Disfigurement
- Past and Future Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Family Services
- Prejudgment Interest
Unfortunately, some maritime injuries are so significant that they can result in death. If that happens, a personal representative of the decedent files a general maritime wrongful death lawsuit. A decedent’s personal representatives include their surviving spouse, children, parents, or dependent relatives.
If you or a loved one were injured or killed in maritime injury, please contact Jon Robinson at Strongpoint Law Firm immediately. Jon Robinson can be reached at(985) 246-3194, or you can fill out the form to the right and let Jon contact you. Contact Jon for a free and confidential case evaluation.
