Mississippi Maritime Attorneys
If you are injured in a maritime accident, whether onshore or offshore, a maritime lawyer in Mississippi with the right qualifications can be your best ally in recovering lost wages and money spent on medical treatment. This is because a good Mississippi maritime attorney is familiar with the various sea-based industries working on and offshore, as well as the complexities of laws governing those businesses and their employees.
For example, the employee on an oil rig may be involved in an accident with an unrelated carrier in port while working. The employee needs to hire maritime attorneys in Mississippi to help work through who among the various parties is responsible for the accident, and how those parties will cover costs from medical expenses and lost future income. The defendants, represented by their admiralty lawyers, need to defend against the employee claims in accordance with the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act.
Maritime law—key points from experienced Mississippi maritime lawyers
The complexity of conditions confronting a maritime attorney in Mississippi are further complicated by the different Maritime laws in Mississippi pertaining to different situations. In brief, here is how these laws work:
- The Jones Act—Work-related injuries that a seaman suffers while offshore (on oil rigs, ships, barges, tankers, tug boats, shrimp boats, trawlers, riverboats, fishing boats, ferries, water taxis, semi-submersibles, and all other types of water vessels) are covered by this act. The act allows the employee to sue in case of injury due to accidents. The Jones Act in Mississippi also applies to professional divers. Compensation awards to workers injured under the Jones Act are generally higher than those for employees covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act or general worker compensation.
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act—A federal law, this statute covers maritime workers for expenses related to injuries suffered or diseases contracted while working. It applies to employees who work on or near land, including longshoremen and harbor workers. Your Mississippi maritime lawyer does not need to prove employer fault to recover for damages. Awards include medical benefits, rehabilitation services, and compensation for lost wages.
Maritime lawyers in Mississippi know the impact of accidents
The Mississippi Maritime law firm of Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A. works on behalf of workers injured on the job. The firm attorneys and staff are experienced in employee injuries and their economic consequences. They work on a contingency basis so that clients only pay when they have achieved a fair settlement.
One call...that's all
One call is all you need to handle your Mississippi maritime law case. Call Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A. at 1-800-844-1215, or contact us online.
