Though the term "pirate" may bring to mind an image of a drunken man carrying a cutlass and a parrot on his shoulder, the modern pirate is far more dangerous. Maritime piracy has existed for centuries and has only become more sophisticated, particularly in recent years. Modern day pirate attacks may involve semi-automatic weapons and even rocket launchers used by organized gangs that approach the targeted vessel on a smaller boat to avoid detection. Crewmembers may be taken hostage and held for months on end.
As a maritime worker, pirate attacks are one of many dangers you may have to consider. The line of work you have chosen is not only physically demanding and involves heavy machinery, equipment, and rigging that can cause serious accidents, but there is another danger in the form of piracy. Arnold & Itkin LLP can provide helpful insight and skilled legal representation if you or a loved one has been injured in a pirate attack. As a seaman, you may be able to seek compensation under the Jones Act or other maritime law. This may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and various other expenses or losses that you have experienced as a result of the attack and your injuries.
We built this website to offer helpful information and guidance to maritime workers throughout the United States and who have been injured in foreign waters. Pirate attacks typically occur overseas, and this can give an American seaman pause as to how to recover compensation under the Jones Act or other relevant maritime law.
You can learn more about maritime piracy and your rights as a seaman by contacting a maritime lawyer at our firm for a free consultation. You can also review the following information:
Modern Day Pirate Attacks
Maritime piracy has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. Since 2007,
hundreds of vessels have been attacked. In 2009, the number of pirate
attacks was nearly double what they were in 2008. Four ships were successfully
hijacked in a single week at the beginning of 2010. These statistics show
just how dangerous modern day piracy can be to seamen.
Best Practices: Avoiding Pirate Attacks
Employers and ship owners have an obligation to take necessary measures
to deter and prevent pirate attacks. Anti-piracy patrols and naval deployments
from various countries worldwide may help, but there are measures to be
taken on the ship itself to make an attempted pirate attack unsuccessful
or to avoid an attack in the first place.
High Risk Areas for Maritime Piracy
Certain geographic locations are "hotspots" for maritime piracy.
This includes the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, the Gulf of Guinea near Nigeria,
the Indian subcontinent (specifically between Sri Lanka and India), and
the Malacca Strait.
As offshore injury lawyers, the team at our firm understands the many risks that maritime workers face on a daily basis. If you were injured in a pirate attack or lost a loved one due to maritime piracy, now is the time to discuss your options with an attorney at our law office. We are highly experienced and ready to fight for you.
Contact a maritime lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP regarding your maritime piracy claim.
Our firm is capable of handling maritime injury cases from coast to coast. For example, we represent offshore workers from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Arnold & Itkin represented nearly a third of the crewmembers injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Because maritime law is so complex and so complicated, it is crucial that you work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of how it works and who has proven themselves in similar cases before.
