Maritime Lawyer

About Maritime Law

Clients discuss their experiences with Maritime Attorneys, Arnold & Itkin:

Maritime law, sometimes called admiralty law, refers to the United States laws and regulations, including international agreements and treaties, governing activities in any navigable waters or the open sea. These laws provide maritime workers with compensation for injuries suffered offshore or in the maritime industry. The federal courts have jurisdiction over maritime law.

Protecting Your Rights under Maritime Law

If you suffered a serious injury while working in the maritime industry it is your right to seek compensation from your employer to protect your family and your livelihood. If a loved one died while engaged in maritime work you may also be able to file a claim. An offshore injury attorney at our firm can assist you in this undertaking.

The attorneys at Arnold & Itkin LLP are highly experienced in maritime law. We understand the differences among the federal acts and know the complexities of the law and how to use our knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. We represent workers along the Gulf Coast in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, as well as in all other navigable waters throughout the United States and along the coast, including in Florida, California, Washington, New York and many other states. We are experienced and passionate about each case. We offer a free initial consultation to talk to you about your case and how we can assist you.

The following maritime laws form the basis of offshore and maritime injury law:

The Jones Act
Formally known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act provides specific rights and protection to U.S. seamen, allowing them to bring legal actions against ship owners, ship captains or other crew members. While the Jones Act does not specifically define who qualifies as a seaman, those typically covered include inland river workers and offshore workers who work on a jack-up rig, semi-submersible rig, barge, drill ship, tugboat, tow boat, crew boat, dredge, cargo ship, fishing vessel or other moveable vessel. Click here to read more about the Jones Act...

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides certain workers' compensation benefits for maritime workers who are not seamen. Longshore workers such as shipbuilders and repairers and harbor construction workers may be eligible for money and medical care if disabled on-the-job either while at sea or in shipyards, loading docks or harbors. This act extends to include many occupations not covered by the Jones Act. Click here to read more about the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act...

Death on the High Seas Act
Originally passed in 1920, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) provides an avenue for the widow or dependents of a maritime worker to seek compensation for a death due to negligence or unseaworthiness of a vessel more than three nautical miles from shore. This act makes it easier to recover damages for future earnings when the death of a seaman occurs in international waters. Click here to read more about the Death on the High Seas Act...

General Maritime Law
General Maritime Law is the common law that has been created through the court system to protect seamen. Included within this area of maritime law is the doctrine of "maintenance and cure." If a seaman becomes sick or injured during the course of his employment, regardless of fault, he is legally entitled to living expenses, lost wages and medical care. The ship owner is obligated to provide room and board and to "cure" a crew member injured in the service of the ship by providing medical care, free of charge, to a seaman, until the seaman has reached maximum medical improvement. Click here to read more about General Maritime Law...

Involving a Maritime Attorney

It is important to recognize that not all maritime statutes will apply to every case. That is why it is important to involve an attorney who knows the differences and can get you the compensation you deserve. We welcome you to contact our offices to discuss your case with an attorney who can offer you knowledgeable guidance when you need it most.

For accurate, detailed information regarding maritime law and your legal rights, contact a maritime attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP.