Baton Rouge Maritime Injury Lawyer

Top-Rated Baton Rouge Maritime Injury Attorney

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge City Dock, and other marine facilities make Baton Rouge an economic driver and a crucial part of Louisiana’s maritime industry. When a worker is hurt while working in these environments, they can face significant legal challenges when seeking compensation. A Baton Rouge maritime injury lawyer can provide you with the focused support and advocacy you need to financially recover from the harm you suffered.

Dedicated Maritime Injury Lawyers Serving Louisiana

In the aftermath of a maritime injury, it can be difficult to know where to turn for support. The Knightshead Law Firm represents injured clients who have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence or wrongful acts. Our founding Baton Rouge offshore accident lawyer has more than 15 years of experience in handling complex cases, including maritime law claims. We are advocates and allies for those we represent.

When you choose our law firm, you gain the steady support of our founding attorney, who graduated in 2022 from the Southern University Law Center here in Baton Rouge. When he isn’t zealously defending clients in court, he volunteers with local nonprofits, including the YMCA and YELL Knights, and serves as a coach. We understand the stress and uncertainty you are experiencing and are dedicated to providing focused, results-driven representation.

Common Causes of Maritime Injuries

Maritime work continues to pose serious risks to workers in Louisiana. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, six water transportation workers suffered fatal occupational injuries in Louisiana throughout 2024. The state also recorded five fatal workplace injuries involving water vehicles, up from three the previous year.

Common causes of maritime injuries include:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Defective or poorly maintained equipment
• Inadequate worker training
• Falls overboard
• Fires and explosions
• Vessel collisions
• Falling or shifting cargo
• Employer or coworker negligence

The Centers for Disease Control notes that there are roughly 400,000 workers employed in maritime industries, and they face a higher rate of injury, illness, and work-related fatalities than those in other fields. The non-fatal injury rate for shipbuilders is 5,369.8 per 100,000 workers. The injuries workers get on oil rigs follow much the same pattern.

How to Secure Compensation

Maritime injury claims in Baton Rouge can fall under several federal laws, including the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, along with general maritime law. Which law applies depends on factors such as where the injury occurred, the worker’s job duties, and their connection to a vessel.

The Jones Act allows qualifying seamen who are injured or succumb to a fatal injury at work to pursue a civil claim against their employer. Under the act, a wrongful death could lead to a court claim filed by a personal representative of the deceased party. Certain aquaculture workers, including some workers engaged in cleaning or canning fish, may be excluded from coverage when state workers’ compensation is available.

The amount of compensation that you can pursue after a maritime injury depends on the law governing your claim and the harm you suffered. Depending on the circumstances, you could pursue compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Medical bills
• Any other losses caused by your injury

Why You Should Hire a Maritime Injury Lawyer

Incidents involving injuries at sea or along rivers are not uncommon. In April 2024, the William B Klunk collided with moored barges near Baton Rouge while pushing 22 loaded barges, causing one injury and approximately $810,000 in damage, with the NTSB later determining that the pilot’s cellphone distraction and fatigue contributed to the crash. What a crew member does after a barge accident can matter as much as what caused it.

If you were hurt while working on or near the water, your claim may qualify for compensation under maritime injury laws. Your first step should be to hire a maritime injury lawyer who understands how to manage a complex maritime injury claim. The questions you ask a maritime injury lawyer early on help you judge whether they have handled claims like yours. Your Baton Rouge maritime injury attorney can gather evidence and pursue compensation under the applicable law. They can work hard to prevent you from suffering long-term financial harm or setbacks.

FAQs

Can You File an Injury Claim Years Later?

Filing an injury claim years later could jeopardize your opportunity to rely on the civil court system to hold the negligent party accountable for the harm you suffered. Under federal maritime law, you generally have three years to file a personal injury claim. Waiting too long can cause you to lose your right to seek compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

What Are the Rules of Maritime Law?

The rules of maritime law depend on where an accident occurred, the type of work being performed, and the injured person’s connection to maritime employment. Federal laws can provide different protections for seamen, longshore workers, and other maritime employees. Determining which law applies is an important first step when pursuing compensation for injuries suffered on or around navigable waters.

When Does the Maritime Injury Statute of Limitations Start in Louisiana?

The three-year statute of limitations for maritime injury claims generally starts when the cause of action arises, which is typically the date of the injury. Under federal law, an action involving personal injury or death that arose from a maritime incident must normally be filed within three years. Waiting to investigate your claim can also make important evidence more difficult to preserve and obtain.

Where Does Maritime Law Not Apply?

Maritime law generally does not apply to accidents that lack a sufficient connection to navigable waters or maritime activity. However, an injury does not necessarily fall outside maritime law simply because it occurred on land. Certain docks, terminals, shipyards, and other areas adjoining navigable waters can fall under federal maritime laws, depending on the worker’s job and the circumstances surrounding the injury.

If You’ve Suffered a Maritime Injury, Contact the Knightshead Law Firm Today

The Knightshead Law Firm provides injured maritime workers with focused representation. Our founding attorney has more than 15 years of experience in complex cases, along with strong ties to Baton Rouge. After graduating from Southern University Law Center here in Baton Rouge, he founded his namesake law firm to represent those who were wrongfully injured or killed.

We understand that maritime injury claims can involve complicated laws and questions about who is responsible. Our firm provides focused attention throughout the legal process, from investigating the circumstances of your injury to pursuing the financial recovery you deserve. Contact the Knightshead Law Firm today to discuss your case with a Baton Rouge maritime injury lawyer.