New Orleans Offshore Injury Lawyers

Over $1 Billion Recovered. Call Our NOLA Maritime Attorneys Today!

Working offshore is dangerous. Maritime workers face numerous hazards on a daily basis, from the heavy equipment they operate to the volatile substances they must be around. They work in a rapidly changing environment where rough seas and tropical storms can threaten their safety. In spite of all of this, maritime employers and the companies that own and lease vessels and rigs have an obligation to keep their workers safe. This means well-maintained equipment and seaworthy vessels. It means the proper implementation of training and safety standards to protect everyone on a rig. 

Unfortunately, some offshore companies cut corners to boost production, delay upgrades to avoid spending money, and put more value on shareholder happiness than safety.

When this happens, the New Orleans offshore injury attorneys at our firm stand ready to help injured workers get the treatment and financial support they need. These are complex cases that require a thorough understanding of maritime law to succeed. Clayton, Frugé & Ward is prepared to deliver the best result for every client.

Call (225) 209-9943 today to learn how our Louisiana maritime lawyers can help you.

Maritime Laws & How They Apply to Offshore Injuries

Offshore injury cases are unique. They are governed by maritime law, which provides a means for recovery for injured seamen and the families of those who have lost their lives while working offshore.

Virtually all maritime injury cases fall under one of the following acts:

• The Jones Act, which offers seamen a route to recover financial compensation for any injury or illness suffered because of an unseaworthy vessel or negligence. A Jones Act claim may cover medical care, lost earnings, loss of future earnings, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical pain and suffering.
• The Death on the High Seas Act (DOSHA), which applies “when the death of an individual is caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond 3 nautical miles from the shore of the United States,” according to 46 U.S. Code § 30302. Families of those lost at sea may seek compensation for the loss of their loved ones.
• The Longshoreman & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which applies to shipbuilders, longshoremen, harbor workers, ship-repairers, and ship-breakers who are injured on the job. These workers are covered when they are injured on navigable waters or on docks, piers, wharves, terminals, and areas where vessels are loaded and unloaded.

Seamen, offshore workers, longshoremen, and their families have the right to seek compensation so they can rebuild after serious accidents. These cases are complicated and typically fall under federal jurisdiction, which makes them more challenging than most personal injury and wrongful death claims. You must work with a seasoned New Orleans maritime lawyer who knows how to navigate the process and protect your interests to the fullest extent of all applicable laws.

Types of Offshore Accidents & Maritime Injuries

At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, we represent workers injured in any type of offshore accident. From dredger accidents to rig explosions, we fight for each client to get the treatment and support it takes to rebuild.

Our team handles Louisiana offshore accident claims involving:

These incidents can cause catastrophic injuries that forever alter an offshore worker’s life. Severe burns, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, and crush injuries can leave a worker unable to return to the same occupation. Some offshore workers may be unable to work again in any capacity. The psychological trauma associated with maritime injuries is also significant and can lead to insomnia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Talk to a New Orleans Offshore Injury Attorney: (225) 209-9943

For too long, seamen, offshore rig workers, and longshoremen have paid the price for their employers’ negligence and wrongdoing. Big companies have put profits above all else, leaving their workers to fend for themselves in horrific working conditions. They have hidden behind antiquated laws to try to limit injured workers’ recoveries. This must stop.

Our maritime lawyers fight to expose wrongdoing by offshore companies, helping injured seamen and their families face brighter futures. To find out more about how we can help you, call (225) 209-9943 today!