Legal matters change when you add water. Injuries that happen when you’re working – or playing – on the water aren’t governed by “the law of the land.” They are subject to maritime laws – also known as admiralty law. If you were injured on the water, you need an experienced maritime injury lawyer to fight for you because maritime cases are never cut and dry.
Tough Jobs Can Mean Bad Injuries
Maritime work is not only physically demanding, it’s also one of the most hazardous industries. Conditions on the water coupled with heavy equipment and changing weather can result in high accident and fatality rates. A maritime injury lawyer can provide tenacious representation to offshore and maritime workers who have been injured on the job in addition to those hurt in recreational water activities.
Common Maritime Injuries That Warrant Claims:
Not every injury lawyer is experienced enough to navigate the complexity of a maritime injury case. Injuries that happen when you’re working – or playing – on the water aren’t governed by “the law of the land.” They are subject to maritime – also known as admiralty – law. They can involve local, state, and federal laws, so you need a maritime injury firm like Rutter Mills, who is well versed in all three.
The Jones Act is a federal law designed to protect seamen who are injured on the job. It allows maritime workers to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by accidents at sea. This act is vital because it grants seamen the right to file lawsuits against their employers for negligence, ensuring they receive fair compensation for injuries that occur in hazardous maritime environments.
When a loved one is lost due to an accident that occurs at sea, proving fault can be particularly challenging. The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) allows family members to file a civil lawsuit if the death occurs more than three nautical miles from the U.S. coastline. This law enables survivors to seek compensation for lost financial support, funeral costs, and loss of companionship, providing justice in cases where negligence or unseaworthiness is involved.
Working offshore, whether on oil rigs or wind farms, presents unique dangers due to the harsh, remote conditions of the sea. Maritime laws ensure workers on these platforms are protected and compensated for injuries sustained while at sea. Whether it’s a fall, equipment malfunction, or exposure to hazardous materials, injured workers may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or other maritime-specific laws to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Maritime laws also protect contract civilian employees working on U.S. naval vessels. Workers who spend more than 30% of their time on ships that are underway may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or other maritime laws. These protections cover injuries sustained while working on military vessels, ensuring that civilian employees receive the medical care, disability benefits, and financial support they need after an injury.
If you’ve been injured at sea while you were away on vacation, our experienced cruise ship attorneys can assist you in all of the nuances that international waterways can bring. Contact us today.
Maritime Injury Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in a maritime accident, the legal process differs significantly from standard workers’ compensation claims on land. Maritime cases come with unique challenges, including the delayed investigation of the scene—sometimes weeks or months after the incident—and the difficulty in finding impartial witnesses willing to testify against their employer. These complexities make maritime injury claims especially challenging and require a legal team with expertise in maritime law to navigate effectively.
Complex cases like this require a serious attorney with the investigative team and resources to get the evidence you will need to prove your case. Our firm has been winning record-setting verdicts for maritime cases for decades. When your future is on the line, don’t trust your case to anyone. Choose the maritime lawyers at Rutter Mills who also specialize in Admiralty law, longshore worker’s compensation, workers’ compensation cases and so much more. See why so many put trust in their 60 years of experience.
Years Winning Maritime Cases
Convenient Offices in Hampton Roads
Team Members Ready to Help
Risky Business
If you’ve been injured on the job, workers’ compensation insurance may entitle you to critical assistance like medical treatment, lost wages, and more. But insurance companies will put up an aggressive fight to resist paying you the compensation you need and deserve. Rutter Mills can help get you the money you deserve.
A Rutter Mills case is a serious case. It may mean you have been badly injured. It certainly means you have a lot on the line, and the resolution of your case will make a big difference to you, your family, and your life moving forward.
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