Carlsbad Maritime Lawyer

Carlsbad Maritime Attorney

If you are facing a legal case as a maritime worker, then you know the road ahead can be highly complex and challenging to navigate on your own. A Carlsbad maritime lawyer from the Law Office of Frank S. Clowney III can offer steady and reliable guidance and support as you navigate this challenging time.

Our legal team has navigated many Jones Act cases for previous clients, and we are prepared and ready to help you with yours. As you begin your maritime legal case, there are several key items to know and essential ways a lawyer can help.

Common Maritime Cases

Maritime cases cover a wide range of legal issues involving ships, offshore work, and navigable waters. Common maritime cases include the following:

• Personal Injury. Injured seamen, such as deckhands, engineers, oil rig workers, etc., can take legal action against employers for negligence. These cases often cover slip and falls on deck, unsafe working conditions, equipment failure, and lack of proper safety training.
• Unseaworthiness Claims. These legal claims are against vessel owners for providing workers with an unsafe or poorly maintained ship. Common issues in these cases include defective ladders, greasy decks, and broken tools.
• Maintenance and Cure Disputes. This is when an employer refuses or cuts off support for injured seamen’s maintenance (daily living expenses) and cure (medical treatment).
• Collisions and Allisions. These cases occur when vessels collide with each other or strike fixed objects. This can involve property damage, personal injury, and salvage rights.
• Wrongful Death. Families can take legal action for seamen who are killed on the job.

While there are many reasons for maritime-related claims, personal injury tends to be the most common, as these jobs are often physically challenging. Such claims often involve complex maritime laws that differ significantly from standard workers’ compensation rules, making legal guidance essential.

How a Maritime Lawyer Can Help Clients

A maritime lawyer can help clients in several key ways, as they can provide legal advice, negotiate fair settlements, and represent them in court on matters related to ocean, ship, offshore, or port-based activities. Given that maritime workers face a high risk of injury and the fatality rate in the water transportation industry is 4.7 times greater than the U.S. average across all industries, having the right legal support is essential.

An experienced maritime attorney can help you file a Jones Act claim if your injury was caused by employer negligence. They can work towards helping you receive maintenance and cure and fight for compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care. If you work on docks, shipyards, or near navigable water, they can handle Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation claims.

The legal process of maritime claims can be highly complex, and a lawyer can help you navigate your case from initial consultation to the end verdict. A good lawyer will take time to listen to you and identify possible legal remedies and options. They can ensure that you are making informed decisions that lead you towards a positive and fair result.

If you are facing a maritime-related issue, it is vital that you receive the legal support that you deserve. Going up against big corporations on your own is not only intimidating but also very challenging, as there are many variables in these cases. It is important to remember that you have skilled legal advocates ready to help you obtain all that you are entitled to.

FAQs

What Does a Maritime Lawyer Do?

A maritime lawyer handles a wide range of cases involving the laws and legal issues related to oceans, seas, and navigable waters. They often provide legal services to seamen who are injured on the job. They can help workers like deckhands, engineers, and fishermen receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Maritime attorneys handle legal disputes involving ship collisions, damaged cargo, and lost and stolen goods at sea.

How Much Is It to Hire an Offshore Accident Lawyer?

The amount it may cost to hire an offshore accident lawyer will depend on the specific details of the case. Many lawyers will work on contingency for injury claims, which means clients do not have to pay the lawyer upfront, but the lawyer will receive a percentage of the settlement if they win the case. If the case is not successful, clients typically owe nothing

What Is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a federal law that protects seamen, who are maritime workers who spend a significant amount of time working on sea vessels and are injured on the job. To qualify for the Jones Act, you must be a “seaman,” which is typically someone who spends at least 30% of their work time on a vessel in navigable waters. Common roles that fall under this law include deckhands, engineers, fishermen, and oil rig workers.

What Are My Protections as a Maritime Worker?

As a maritime worker, you hold several key legal protections under U.S. maritime laws. Under the Jones Act, you have the right to take legal action against your employer for negligence if you were injured, to receive damages for pain, suffering, lost wages, and future earnings, and to receive maintenance and cure while you recover. Maintenance is your basic living experience, and cure is all reasonable and necessary medical treatment.

How Long Are Maritime Cases?

The length of a maritime case can vary widely depending on the type of case, its complexity, and whether it settles or goes to trial. The key factors of a case that can affect the time to complete it include the number of parties involved, whether you pursue a settlement or trial, the specific jurisdiction the case is in, whether medical treatment is ongoing, and whether there are any disputes regarding liability

Speak With a Trusted Maritime Lawyer Today

If you are facing a maritime-related legal claim, reach out today to set up an initial consultation with our legal team at the Law Office of Frank S. Clowney III. During this first meeting, you can speak with a compassionate and dedicated legal advocate who can support you throughout your case, offering trustworthy guidance and care. The implications of your case are too serious not to address immediately.

You can reach us online, on the phone, or at our office locally in the same North County area of San Diego County as Carlsbad, on 550 W. C Street.