Maritime Law and Seaman Protection

The Florida Accident Attorneys of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP are Here to Help You

The United States Marine Transportation System (MTS) encompasses 1,000 harbor channels, 25,000 miles of waterways, 1,914 cargo terminals, and 460,000 miles of pipeline connections -- and employs more than 8 million American workers. Of those jobs, shipbuilding and water transportation employ 225,000 workers and close to 35,000 sailors, marine oilers, captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels, as well as ship engineers. With so many workers in such dangerous occupations, accidents and injuries are inevitable.

If you are a seaman, merchant sailor, dock worker or offshore worker and you have been injured in a maritime-related accident, contact an attorney who focuses on maritime and admiralty law today. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP represents injury victims in Ft. Myers, Naples and throughout the State of Florida. -- and we can help you obtain the compensation available to you.
Please fill out our online form or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) for help with your case. We handle maritime law claims from port cities along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, including Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, FL.

Work on the ocean, in vessels, and even on docks can be dangerous -- maritime jobs are considered among the most hazardous trades in the world. Maritime injuries are often severe and can prevent you from working again. Injuries can involve crushed or broken limbs, muscle and ligament damage, deep cuts, traumatic brain injury or spinal trauma. That's why regulations and laws have been put in place to protect the rights of marine workers and their families. Understanding those rights can help you prepare for your future when you are injured on the job.

The primary maritime acts to aid injured workers include the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, the Death on the High Seas Act and the principle of maintenance and cure.

• Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Maritime workers, including longshore workers, shipbuilders and harbor construction workers, are provided money and medical care through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ compensation Act if disabled on-the-job either while at sea or in shipyards, at the docks, or in harbors.
• Maintenance and Cure. If you become injured or ill while out-to-sea, you are entitled to living expenses, lost wages, and medical care through the principle of maintenance and cure. These monies are available to you until you are fit to return to work, regardless of who was at fault for the injury or illness. Benefits include medical care, free of charge, to a seaman until maximum medical improvement is reached.
• The Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act allows sailors or their family members to seek compensation due to negligence or unseaworthiness. Claims can be brought against the ship owners, captains or other crew members. As a worker you should have the comfort of knowing that the ship on which you are working and living is safe and seaworthy, and it is the owner’s legal responsibility to provide the crew with a seaworthy ship. The owner must also take steps to ensure that the crew is properly trained, the equipment is in good repair and proper safety gear is supplied.

Life in the maritime business can be an exciting world, but it can also be extremely dangerous. When accidents occur, laws are in place to protect you and your livelihood. The lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP understand the complexities of maritime and admiralty law and have the expertise to handle maritime claims at port cities along the Eastern Seaboard.

You’ve already taken an important initial step by finding YourMaritimeLawyer.com. Now call us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) or fill out our online form so the maritime lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP can put our experience to work for you.