Maritime Law Lawyers in Lafayette

Admiralty Law in Lafayette: injury claims for Acadiana's offshore and vessel workers

Many people across Acadiana work offshore, on supply boats, liftboats, barges and Gulf platforms. When one of these workers is hurt, federal maritime law usually decides what remedies exist, and the answer turns on the job and where the accident happened. That is why workers facing amputations, crush injuries or burns often consult an admiralty attorney early. This page lists 24 attorneys and law firms in Lafayette who handle maritime and admiralty law matters.

Which law covers your injury

• Jones Act. A seaman hurt in the course of employment may sue the employer for negligence, with the right to a jury trial.
• Unseaworthiness. A separate claim against the vessel owner for an unfit vessel; the U.S. Supreme Court calls it a species of liability without fault.
• Maintenance and cure. A seaman who is injured or falls ill while serving the vessel is owed food, lodging and medical care until maximum medical improvement.
• Longshore Act. Dock, shipyard and harbor workers who are not crew members are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
• Platform workers. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act extends Longshore benefits to workers hurt as a result of operations to explore for or produce natural resources on the outer Continental Shelf.

Deadlines and the Lafayette courthouse

• Lawsuits. A personal injury or death claim arising from a maritime tort generally must be filed within three years.
• Longshore claims. Notice of injury is generally due within 30 days, and a compensation claim within one year; the clock can start later, and occupational disease has longer limits.
• Federal court. The Western District of Louisiana's Lafayette Division sits at the John M. Shaw U.S. Courthouse, 800 Lafayette Street, and serves Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes.
• Questions to ask. How often the lawyer handles cases like yours, and where they plan to file.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

Lawyers listed in Lafayette also cover Personal Injury (41), Products Liability (15) and Workers' Compensation (15). The same practice elsewhere in Louisiana: Baton Rouge (7) and Alexandria (5). Across Louisiana the directory lists 36 attorneys in this practice; Lafayette is 1st by their number among 3 cities.