MARINE ACCIDENTS LAWYER IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

GET HURT IN A MARINE ACCIDENT? GET HELP AND GET RUDE®

Marine accidents can push offshore workers and other maritime workers to the edge, long shifts, harsh weather, heavy equipment, and a claims process where an employer or insurer may put finances first. Admiralty law, also called maritime law, governs incidents on navigable waters and the open sea, including cargo movement, marine salvage, and injuries to passengers and workers. A core protection for injured seamen and harbor workers includes maintenance and cure, the Jones Act, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

RUDIN LAW steps in as your New Orleans maritime lawyer. We evaluate status and remedies under admiralty law, from Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness to LHWCA benefits and third-party claims; we gather logs, incident reports, photos, and witness statements, and we track medical expenses and lost wages. When needed, we file maritime claims in the proper court and press the carrier and other parties to address the record.

Ready to speak with a maritime accident lawyer about a plan that fits your situation? Call (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or use our contact form. Stop Being Polite® and GET RUDE®.

Key Takeaways

• Marine Accidents in New Orleans fall under admiralty and maritime law, which may offer remedies like the Jones Act, maintenance and cure, and LHWCA benefits for injured maritime workers.
• Common offshore events include slips and falls, man overboard, fires and explosions, collisions and groundings, chemical exposure, machinery incidents, confined-space hazards, and diving accidents.
• After an onboard incident, prioritize safety, report to the captain, log the event, gather witness details, photograph conditions and equipment, and contact RUDIN LAW.
• Filing windows matter, general maritime torts and many Jones Act and DOHSA claims often use three years, LHWCA claims often use one year, and many Louisiana state-law claims for recent incidents use two years.
• RUDIN LAW builds the record from day one, works with qualified professionals, presses the carrier, and files in the proper court when needed.

TYPES OF OFFSHORE ACCIDENTS IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Working on navigable waters around New Orleans brings unique risks for offshore workers, injured seamen, and harbor workers. Below are common marine accidents that lead to maritime injuries on oil rigs, commercial fishing vessels, cargo ships, and charter boats:

• Slips, trips, and falls: Wet decks, line coils, and slick ladders cause falls that lead to back, shoulder, and head injuries for maritime employees.
• Man overboard: A sudden roll or wake throws a crew member into the sea, creating drowning and hypothermia hazards in rough conditions.
• Crush and pinch-point injuries: Moving cargo, hatches, and heavy gear trap hands and feet against bulkheads or between a vessel and the dock.
• Fires and explosions: Fuel leaks, hot work, or electrical faults ignite confined areas, causing burns and smoke inhalation during offshore accidents.
• Collisions and groundings: Contact with other vessels, fixed objects, or shoals produces high-energy impacts and structural damage.
• Chemical exposure: Cleaning agents and transported cargo cause respiratory irritation, chemical burns, and poisoning without proper controls.
• Lifting and carrying injuries: Tight quarters and heavy loads strain the spine and shoulders when equipment or team lifting is inadequate.
• Repetitive strain injuries: Constant line handling and tool use lead to tendonitis and carpal tunnel over long hitches.
• Machinery accidents: Winches, cranes, and engines pull clothing or limbs into running gear during maintenance or operations.
• Electrical hazards: Damaged cords and wet panels shock crew, especially during night work or storm recovery.
• Harsh weather exposure: Tropical systems and winter fronts create cold stress, heat illness, and dangerous footing.
• Confined-space incidents: Tanks and engine rooms carry low-oxygen and toxic-gas risks that require strict entry procedures.
• Diving accidents: Commercial dives involve decompression sickness, entanglement, and contact injuries.

If you are an injured maritime worker in New Orleans, LA, you may have grounds to pursue remedies under maritime law. Depending on status and facts, options can include Jones Act negligence for seamen, maintenance and cure for medical care and living expenses during recovery, or LHWCA benefits for covered harbor workers. A maritime injury lawyer in New Orleans can evaluate maritime claims, document medical expenses and lost wages, and press responsible employers or other parties to address the harms.

MARINE ACCIDENTS AND MARITIME WORKERS: WORKPLACE STATISTICS

The maritime industry employs more than 400,000 people nationwide, including shipyard workers, longshoremen, marine transport crews, ship captains, port operators, seafood processors, commercial fishermen, aquaculture workers, commercial divers, and other maritime employees.

These maritime workers keep cargo and vessels moving on navigable waters from New Orleans to offshore fields, which places them in complex work environments with heavy equipment, confined spaces, and changing seas.

Studies have reported higher rates of work-related maritime injuries, illnesses, and fatalities for this workforce compared to many land-based occupations. The mix of harsh weather, equipment malfunctions, and vessel traffic increases the risk of marine accidents for offshore workers and harbor workers.

When harm occurs, admiralty law may provide remedies through the Jones Act, maintenance and cure, and LHWCA benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, depending on status and duties.

If you need guidance about maritime claims in New Orleans, a maritime injury lawyer can assess your options and help you pursue a plan that fits your situation. Call us at (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or use our contact form. Stop Being Polite® and GET RUDE.

WERE YOU INJURED IN A RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENT IN NEW ORLEANS? DIFFERENT LAWS AND PROOF NEEDS

Not all water-related claims involve offshore workers. A recreational crash on the lake or river may proceed as a boating accident under Louisiana tort law, with different evidence needs and insurance issues than a marine workplace case.

If your incident involved a rental craft, jet skis, or a pleasure vessel, see our boating accidents page for how we document operator conduct, LDWF or officer reports, and property loss in New Orleans.

FILING DEADLINES FOR MARINE ACCIDENTS, A NEW ORLEANS MARITIME LAWYER’S QUICK GUIDE

There are many factors that determine the deadline by which you must file your lawsuit under maritime/admiralty law. A maritime or admiralty suit might fall under state or federal jurisdiction. Whether the injury occurred on a vessel in transit might determine if the Uniform Statute of Limitations for Maritime Torts will apply. The guidelines below can help you spot deadlines that may apply. Maritime law can turn on job duties, location, and paperwork history, so a lawyer should review the facts before you rely on a date.

• The Uniform Statute of Limitations for Maritime Torts: This federal code applies to all lawsuits for personal injury or death arising out of a maritime tort. The law sets a three-year deadline to file after the event giving rise to the claim occurs. This date also determines the deadline for the seaman to bring his or her claim under the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, claims of unseaworthiness, and other claims made under general maritime tort law.
• The Jones Act: The Jones Act gives certain seamen (who can be defined as members of the crew of a vessel or someone assigned to a fleet of vessels by his employer) a way to pursue a claim against an employer after an on-the-job injury. For this, some requirements must be met, such as: (i) the vessel must be in active service, (ii) there must be an ongoing connection with the vessel or fleet, and (iii) the worker’s duties must contribute to the vessel’s work. In tragic situations where a worker dies due to a work injury, the Act provides financial support for their spouse or children. This law also compels employers to prioritize safety. They must create a safe work environment and equip employees with proper training and safety gear.

A lawsuit brought under the Jones Act must be filed within three years from the time of the accident, injury, or illness. However, there are some cases where this period may be reduced by administrative requirements based on ownership of the vessel.

• The Death On the High Seas Act: The Death on the High Seas Act, or DOHSA, allows families of those who suffer a death at sea beyond 3 nautical miles from shore to seek compensation. The deadline for these family members is three years from the day their loved one died. A spouse, child, parent, or dependent relative may be eligible for compensation under DOHSA.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act: The LHWCA has a shorter statute of limitations than the Jones Act or DOHSA. LHWCA claimants may have only one year to file a claim after they are injured. The statute says the time does not begin until the worker is (or should be) aware of the relationship between the injury/death and employment. And if the employer or carrier has notice or knowledge and fails to file the report required, the limitations period does not begin until that report is furnished. Many people call LHWCA benefits maritime workers compensation, and timing can also depend on whether the employer or carrier made voluntary payments.
• Maintenance and Cure Deadline: Generally speaking, the deadline to bring a claim for maintenance and cure is three years. However, there are some cases where you may file a claim for Maintenance and Cure more than three years after the accident that caused your injury or illness. In those exceptional cases, the burden of proof will fall more heavily on the injured person to show why it was reasonable that he or she did not file the claim within the three-year period.
• State Laws: State laws may have longer or shorter deadlines for an injured marine worker to bring claims arising under state law. For example, as of July 1, 2024, claimants in both Louisiana and Texas have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

No matter what law pertains to your injury claim, do not wait until the last minute to seek the advice of an attorney. Information and evidence gathering should begin immediately following the injury-causing event.

The sooner you contact RUDIN LAW, the sooner we can begin building your case. We’re ready to act fast so you should be ready to call us as soon as disaster strikes. Call (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or use our contact form to speak with a maritime injury lawyer about your options. Stop Being Polite® and GET RUDE®.

Get Hurt? Get Help. GET RUDE

WHAT TO DO AFTER A MARINE WORKPLACE ACCIDENT IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

When a workplace accident happens on the water, act quickly and act smart. The steps below help protect safety, preserve evidence under maritime law, and support maritime workers compensation claims for injured maritime workers in New Orleans.

Check for Injuries

Call for medical help, keep your helmet or PFD on if you can, and avoid sudden movement. Tell the medic or ship’s officer exactly what hurts and how the incident happened.

Report the Incident

Notify the captain or supervisor at once, ask that the event be logged, and complete company or USCG reporting forms. Request a copy of all reports for your records.

Collect Information

Write down witness names and roles, the vessel name and IMO or official number, equipment serials, and the time, watch, and location. Note any contractors or other parties present.

Document the Accident

Take photos of deck conditions, lighting, weather, lines, ladders, guards, and any equipment malfunctions. Save GPS coordinates and snap photos of visible injuries over the next several days.

Contact RUDIN LAW

A maritime injury lawyer can organize records, protect deadlines under the Jones Act or LHWCA, and handle insurer communications. Call (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or use our contact form. Stop Being Polite® and GET RUDE®.

WHY WORK WITH RUDIN LAW FOR MARINE ACCIDENTS

After a marine workplace accident, insurance adjusters may move fast to limit exposure. With RUDIN LAW, you have a legal team that pushes back and moves your maritime claims forward.

Build your Case From the Start

We gather log entries, incident and maintenance records, training files, photos and video, AIS or GPS data, and witness statements, then track medical expenses, lost wages, and vessel repair documentation.

Engage Qualified Independent Professionals

When needed, we retain marine engineering and reconstruction professionals, licensed physicians, vocational consultants, and economists to clarify causation and financial impact without unnecessary appointments.

Decisive, Timely Negotiation

We present a focused demand tied to records and billing, and press the carrier for a fair evaluation under admiralty law and federal law. We address responsibility for employers and other parties with clear proof.

Trial-Ready when Needed

If talks stall, your New Orleans maritime lawyer files in the proper state or federal courts, manages discovery, and prepares exhibits and testimony while you focus on treatment.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH RUDIN LAW TO DISCUSS YOUR MARINE ACCIDENTS CASE IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Marine workplaces set high safety standards, yet incidents still cause serious injuries on vessels and docks. RUDIN LAW treats each report with care, we organize medical records, track medical expenses and lost wages, and outline remedies under maritime law, including maintenance and cure, the Jones Act, and potential LHWCA benefits for covered harbor workers.

Our team explains your options, coordinates evidence, and presses insurers and other parties while you focus on treatment. Call us today at (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or use our contact form and let us fight to seek compensation for you.

It is time to stop letting insurers set the tone.

It is time to stop being polite®.

It is time to GET RUDE® with RUDIN LAW.

DON’T DELAY! BE WARY OF THE DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR LAWSUIT.

There are many factors that determine the deadline by which you must file your lawsuit under maritime/admiralty law. A maritime or admiralty suit might fall under state or federal jurisdiction. Whether the injury occurred on a vessel under navigation might determine if the Uniform Statute of Limitations for Maritime Torts will apply. The following guidelines can assist with identifying which deadline(s) may apply, but maritime law is complex, and it would be impossible to determine if your deadline has passed without speaking to a qualified attorney.

• The Uniform Statute of Limitations for Maritime Torts: This federal code applies to all lawsuits for personal injury to or death of a seaman (the injured marine worker) that arise out of a maritime tort. The law sets a three-year deadline to file after the event giving rise to the claim occurs. This date also determines the deadline for the seaman to bring his or her claim under the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, claims of unseaworthiness, and other claims made under general maritime tort law.
• The Jones Act: Under the Jones Act, a “seaman” is defined as member of the crew of a vessel (e.g., a tanker, freighter, jack-up rig, semi-submersible, towboat, tug, supply boat, crew boat, barge, lay barge, or fishing vessel), or someone assigned to a fleet of vessels by his employer. Other requirements must be met, such as: (i) the vessel must be in navigation, (ii) there must be a permanent connection with ship, and (iii) the worker must be aboard to aid in that navigation. Sometimes, even a person whose work is covered under the LHWCA may be treated as a Jones Act seaman.
  Jones Act seamen are guaranteed medical care and disability benefits if they’re hurt on the job. In tragic situations where a worker dies due to a work injury, the Act provides financial support for their spouse or children. This law also compels employers to prioritize safety. They must create a safe work environment and equip employees with proper training and safety gear.

A lawsuit brough under the Jones Act must be filed within three years from the time of the accident, injury, or illness. However, there are some cases where this period may be reduced by administrative requirements based on ownership of the vessel.

• The Death On the High Seas Act: The Death on the High Seas Act, or DOHSA, allows families of those who died at sea to seek compensation under maritime tort law in certain circumstances. The deadline for these family members is three years from the day their loved one died. A spouse, child, parent, or dependent relative may be eligible for compensation under DOHSA.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act: The LHWCA has a shorter statute of limitations than the Jones Act or DOHSA. LHWCA claimants may have only one year to file a claim after they are injured. This time begins to count down as soon as the employer files the required form with the Department of Labor to report the injury. In some cases where an employer was voluntarily paying benefits and compensation and then stopped, the injured person has a year to file from the time those benefits were cut off. This one- year deadline also applies to cases filed under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Defense Base Act.
• Maintenance and Cure Deadline: Generally speaking, the deadline to bring a claim for maintenance and cure is three years under the Uniform Code. However, there are some cases where you may file a claim for Maintenance and Cure more than three years after the accident that caused your injury or illness. In those exceptional cases, the burden of proof will fall more heavily on the injured person to show why it was reasonable that he or she did not file the claim within the three-year period.
• State Laws: State laws may have longer or shorter deadlines for an injured marine worker to bring claims arising under state law. For example, as of July 1, 2024, claimants in both Louisiana and Texas have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

No matter what law pertains to your injury claim, do not wait until the last minute to seek the advice of an attorney. Information and evidence gathering should begin immediately following the injury-causing event. The sooner you contact RUDIN LAW, the sooner we can begin building your case. We’re ready to act fast so you should be ready to call us as soon as disaster strikes.