Louisiana is a hotbed for maritime work because of its location and the prevalence of the oil industry. With the types of tasks that workers are required to do, it is imperative that safety requirements are followed. The basic responsibility for this is generally with...
ADMIRALTY / MARITIME LAW
Maritime Law
As fall shrimp season winds down, crews must be alert to dangers
We are past the halfway point of Louisiana’s fall inshore white shrimp season, which typically lasts from mid-August through mid-December. In the past three months, we have seen a number of shrimpers in their boats trawling along the shallower coastline waters seeking...
Common maritime accidents and injuries
While there are many benefits to working on the water, maritime workers in Louisiana are often at risk for serious injury. Seamen, or crewmen or captains on navigable vessels, and other workers who work near the water who suffer on-the-job injuries may be eligible for...
Shoulder injuries common among maritime workers
There are many workers in the Metairie area who depend on their maritime jobs. Working on the water can be a risky endeavor. There are many hazards that maritime workers face and an injury can affect them for the rest of their working career. A shoulder injury is one...
Pre-Civil War law used in attempt to restrict liability
Antiquated laws sometimes complicate the rights of seaman, longshoreman and other worker to seek fair and just compensation for work-related injuries. In one case, a dredge operator is relying on an almost 200- year-old federal maritime law to limit their liability...
The dangers of shipboard electric shock
Most ships rely on a wide variety of electrical systems for propulsion, steering, navigation, emergency lights and a variety of other systems. In addition, many tools used for repair or maintenance use electricity to function. However, the electricity used to run both...
Oyster season arrives and safety comes to forefront
The oyster catches in the Gulf region have dwindled in the past decade due to situations such as the BP oil spill from 2010, climate change and flood-protection measures related to the Mississippi River. With oysters no longer plentiful and no longer as affordable,...
Maritime law and understanding common offshore accidents
Many Louisianans make their living on the water. This can be a risky endeavor. With serious injuries, there can be massive medical expenses, lost income from being unable to work and a litany of other challenges. Understanding the most common accidents is not only a...
Exclusions of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Given Louisiana’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi river and many other bodies of water, there is a lot of work revolving around ships and the shipping industry. There are many different jobs within this industry as well. Some people work exclusively...
The differences between the Longshore and Jones Acts
Maritime workers may be entitled to compensation if they are injured at their jobs. But maritime law has different coverage based upon their work. There is a substantial difference between the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Jones Act. What the...