Longshoreman Claims
Experienced Longshoremen Claims Attorneys in Tampa Bay and Six Florida West Central Counties
Florida Longshoremen Claims lawyers Chadwick & Chadwick serve Longshoremen, Ship builders, Pier, Shipyard, Harbor, Drydock, Marine terminal, Tugboat and Barge workers, Derrick operators, Marine cargo handlers, and all injured workers in the maritime trades along the Florida waters of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, including Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hernando County and Manatee County.
Longshoremen Chaos
Longshoremen have an undeniably difficult job, not only because of the physical demands of their occupation, but also the workplace hazards they face every day. This is complicated by innumerable occupations and employment arrangements in the maritime industry.
In event of an on-the-job injury or death, the complications multiply by the number of rights and legislative solutions. Congress has enacted at least four federal Laws in the past century to compensate for maritime-related injury or death cases, in addition to the court-originated General Maritime Law.
Jones Act (1920)
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, a federal law commonly referred to as the Jones Act, provides a measure of protection for seamen and maritime workers on the seas and other navigable waters. If a ship-related injury or death are the result of a negligent employer or fellow crewmember this law provides a measure of compensation through legal action in federal court.
Death on the High Seas Act of 1920 (DOHSA)
This federal law regulates the compensation to the dependents of seamen or other individuals who died a wrongful death while working on a vessel while it was three or more nautical miles off the coast of any American State or U.S. Territory. A representative of all survivors of the deceased individual must initiate legal proceedings within three years of the accident
Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act of 1927 (LHWCA)
This Act, commonly referred to as the Longshore Act, provides occupational injury and disease benefits to maritime workers in cases where the Jones Act and state workers’ compensation do not.
Workers injured or who have contracted occupational diseases while employed in support of the maritime industry as shipbuilders, dock workers, longshoremen, mechanics, or maintenance workers on any canal, river, or other waterway are entitled to compensation under this Act. About 500,000 are being compensated by this Act.
Defense Base Act of 1941 (DBA)
This federal Act extends the LHWCA to apply to longshoremen and harbor workers, providing compensation for disability or death to persons employed at military, air, and naval defense bases outside the U.S.
General Maritime Law
This common law is the historical accumulation of court decisions rendered by admiralty courts throughout many years. It demands that vessels are in seaworthy condition and owners provide the entire crew with transportation, wages, room and board, and medical services for the duration of each voyage on any navigable waterway. This law applies even if the illness or injury is not job related.
A suit for recovery damages for personal injury or death under General Maritime Law must commence within three years from when the cause occurred.
How We Can Help
The attorneys at Tampa Bay’s Chadwick & Chadwick understand the unique safety hazards longshoremen face each day. We can assist you in receiving the financial compensation you deserve. We are prepared to help those who have suffered broken bones, traumatic brain injury, loss of limbs, spinal cord injuries, repetitive motion injuries, lacerations, blindness, hearing loss, burns, cancer, and any temporary or permanent disability.
Types of Accidents
Longshoremen face many types of accidents:
- Barge Accidents
- Engine Room Accidents
- Cargo Ship Accidents
- Commercial Fishing
- Crane Accidents
- Cruise Ship Accidents
- Derrick Accidents
- Diving Support Vessel Accidents
- Dredge Accidents
- Drug-Related Accidents
- Drydock Accidents
- Ferry Worker Accidents
- Heavy Lift Ship Accidents
- Helicopter Accidents
- Jack-Up Rig Accidents
- Marine Cargo Handling
- Marine Terminal Accidents
- Loading Accidents
- Offshore Construction Accidents
- Oil Platform Accidents
- PSV Accidents
- Rigging Accidents
- Shipyard Accidents
- Shipbreaking Accidents
- Ship Salvage Accidents
- Shrimp Boat Accidents
- Spud Barge Accidents
- Struck-By Vehicle Accidents
- Top/Side Handler Accidents
- Tour Boat Accidents
- Well Intervention
- Tugboat Accidents
You receive free initial consultation to fully understand the circumstances of your accident and how best to approach your case. To arrange a consultation, call toll-free today, 813-264-1500. We protect longshoremen.
