Admiralty Lawyer & Maritime Law Attorneys - Offshore Accident Lawsuits
For thousands of years, human civilization has depended on the oceans and waterways for various needs such as transportation, trade, and recreation. As society improved over the centuries, our dependence on the waterways has not diminished. In the 21st century, the United States relies on seaborne trade for large and irreplaceable portions of the modern economy. To administer the thousands upon thousands of ships, boats, and vessels registered in the U.S., the United States Government set up several maritime and offshore accident lawsuits help clarify and organize the myriad situations that can occur on the water.If you are facing any offshore or maritime injury, You should contact our experienced offshore accident attorney at Zehl & Associates.
Admiralty and maritime laws are made up of statutes that cover activities that take place on any vessel that flies an American flag. These rules originally covered injuries and accidents that afflicted inland water workers, victims of air crashes that occur over the waters, and those who support ships while loading and unloading cargo and operating in port, but in recent years coverage has expanded to several other specialized areas.
Main maritime laws:
The three main American maritime laws are the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. The Jones Act is a set of rules that establish the qualifications of a sailor or seamen. The specific conditions that will enable them to collect compensation should they suffer an injury while performing their duties. The Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act is similar to the Jones Act but covers workers who function as land-based support personnel. The Death on the High Seas Act covers deaths of not only seamen and sailors, but also people who die in plane crashes on the open waters.
The Oakland Maritime Lawyer ensures workers who have been hurt in the maritime industry the opportunity to gain just compensation for their pain and suffering, as well as medical costs.
Controversial aspects:
One of the most controversial aspects of modern maritime law deals with the status of oil rig workers. These workers are not technically seamen or sailors in the traditional sense, but spend significant amounts of time on the water on platforms towed onto the open sea but not permanently fixed to the ocean floor. Activities associated with offshore oil rigging, including the helicopters that ferry personnel to the platform and the service personnel who supply provisions and provide maintenance, are covered under these maritime law statutes.
Commercial fishers have some of the most dangerous and under-appreciated jobs in modern America. Thousands of fishers ply the open seas, rivers, and lakes every day, and sadly, some of them never make it back to homeport. A great many of these sailors, seamen, mariners, and fishers are covered under the maritime laws of the United States, and they or their relatives can sometimes collect compensation for the accidents that occur throughout the maritime world. The fishing industry is a vital component of the American economy, and it is shameful when these brave workers are taken advantage of by callous and indifferent employers.
