New Orleans Maritime Law Attorneys | Jones Act Library

Hurt on a New Orleans cruise? A maritime lawyer can protect your rights.
Description: When a passenger on a cruise ship or riverboat is injured, the owner of the vessel may or may not be liable for their injuries. Because a cruise ship or riverboat does not guarantee the safety of its passengers, negligence must be proven in order to determine liability. The best way to determine if you are eligible for compensation for your injuries is to schedule a free consultation with a maritime attorney. The attorneys at the Young Firm are experts on maritime law and can help you with your case. If you have questions about your cruise ship injury, call us at 1-866-938-6113.
What is the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act? How can it affect your injury case? The maritime attorneys at the New Orleans Young Firm explain.
Description: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act(OCSLA)defines the outer continental shelf and extends the benefits of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) to non-seamen who are employed on the outer continental shelf. If you have been injured while working off shore, don’t sign anything until you talk to an experienced maritime attorney. You may be giving up your rights. The Young Firm can help. Unlike other firms, we only represent injured maritime workers, so we are experts in the Jones Act, DOHSA, LHWCA, OCSLA and other maritime law. Call us at 866-938-6113.
Why You Should Not Hide Previous Injuries During A Maritime Pre-Employment Examination
Description: Read here to find out why you should not hide prior injuries during a Jones Act maritime pre-employment examination. Learn what hiding past injuries can mean if you get hurt while working for the company.
Lead exposure is a danger for shipyard workers
Description: Shipyard workers, including shipfitters and ship repair workers, are often exposed to high levels of lead. Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin with health effects that range from headaches and nausea to coma and death. Lead poisoning can be treated if caught early. If you are a seaman or harbor worker and have been exposed to lead while working, you have rights. Call the attorneys at The Young Firm at 866-938-6113 for a free consultation and to find out how you are protected by maritime law.
Invisible danger on the docks: the hazards of diesel exhaust
Description: Diesel exhaust is a health risk to millions of workers who are exposed to emissions from diesel burning ships, trucks and other equipment. Particulates in diesel exhaust have been linked to numerous health problems, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease and neurological problems. If you suffer from health problems resulting from long-term, maritime work-related diesel exposure, we may be able to help. Call the Young Firm at (866) 968-6434 for a free consultation.

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Jones Act Law:

Yes, the Jones Act covers offshore oil rig accidents.
Description: Oil rig workers perform hard physical labor. While oil industry jobs are among the highest paying in Louisiana, working on an offshore oil rig is a high risk job and many oil rig workers sustain serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured while working on an offshore oil rig accident, contact The Young Firm at 866-938-6113. To protect your rights, don’t sign anything until you’ve called us for a free consultation.
Are commercial divers covered under Jones Act Law?
Description: Divers are at risk for serous injury. Many divers are covered under Jones Act Law, the status of other divers is not as well-defined. If you have been injured in a diving accident, you may not be sure if you covered by maritime law. The attorneys at The Young Firm can help you. We'll determine which laws cover your injuries and how much compensation you are entitled to. Contact our office at 866-938-6113 to schedule a free consultation.
Is the Jones Act the same as Workers’ Compensation?
Description: Maritime workers are generally not covered under traditional Workers’ Compensation. It is the Jones Act that gives maritime workers legal rights if they are injured on the job. However, there are significant differences between the Jones Act and Workers’ Compensation. If you are injured while working at sea, it is very important to hire a lawyer that understands these differences. Compensation for a maritime injury can be confusing. Contact the New Orleans-based offices of The Young Firm today at 866-938-6113 to learn more.
Jones Act cases can often be filed in many different courts. Make sure you choose the best court for your suit.
Description: You need to select the best court you can in which to file your Jones Act claim. Often you will have a choice of several courts. Read here to determine where you can file your Jones Act suit.
What is a vessel, and how is a vessel defined for Jones Act laws?
Description: In order for a maritime worker to be considered a seaman under the Jones Act, he must be injured while working on a Jones Act vessel. However, the term “vessel” encompasses a variety of sea-going watercraft that are used to transport good or passengers over navigable waters. The definition of a Jones Act vessel can be of utmost importance in determining the outcome of a Jones Act damages case. In some cases determining if If you have been injured on the sea, but are not sure if you work on a Jones Act vessel, a maritime lawyer can help determine which laws apply to your case. Call the Louisiana maritime injury attorneys at The Young Firm at 1-866-938-6113 to schedule a free case consultation.

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Jones Act Damages:

Head Injury: A major risk for maritime workers
Description: Due to the dangerous nature of their jobs, maritime workers are at high risk for head injuries. If you are a maritime worker who has sustained a brain injury while working at sea, you are entitled fair compensation for your injury and its associated costs. Learn how a maritime lawyer can help you receive full compensation for medical care, rehabilitation, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Call the Louisiana Jones Act lawyers at The Young Firm (866) 938-6113.
Three things you should do before settling your Jones Act Case
Description: If you are injured while working offshore, there are a few things you should consider before settling your Jones Act case. First, the insurance company works for the company, not for you. Their priority is minimizing the amount that you are paid for your injuries. An experienced maritime law attorney can help. Contact the attorneys at the New Orleans office of The Young Firm for a free consultation. Call us toll free at (866) 938-6113.
Hurt offshore? You could qualify for financial compensation under the Jones Act
Description: After being injured offshore you are probably wondering what kind of compensation your employer should be giving you. If you are considered a Jones Act seaman, you could be owed one or more of several different types of damages. Your medical bills could be covered, as could your lost wages, reduced income, pain and suffering, and more.
Common Medical Tests for Maritime and Offshore Injuries
Description: COMMON MEDICAL TESTS FOR MARITIME AND OFFSHORE INJURIES

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Jones Act Safety Rules:

What happens when a maritime worker files a Jones Act Lawsuit?
Description: Seamen work with dangerous equipment on rough seas and in extreme weather conditions. That is why, under the law, employers and vessel owners, have a duty to provide maritime workers with a safe working environment. When injury occurs because employers don't provide safe working conditions, the employee has the right to file a Jones Act case. Learn more about the Jones Act and your rights. If you have questions contact the maritime attorneys at The Young Firm 866-938-6113.

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Maintenance and Cure Law:

Injured at sea? How will you pay your bills?
Description: If you are a seaman who has been injured in a maritime accident, chances are that you are also worried about how you are going to pay the bills. You may be entitled to a variety of compensation, including maintenance and cure, unearned wages and Jones Act damages. Before you settle with your company, contact the Jones Act lawyers at the Young Firm. Call 866-938-6113 for a free consultation. We can help.
Hypothermia at sea, a major risk for maritime workers
Description: At this time of year, hypothermia is a major risk to maritime workers, and it is the biggest danger sailors face when falling into cold water. This article discusses the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, and the rights of injured seamen. If you’ve been injured while working on the water, call The Young Firm Maritime Injury Lawyers at 1-866-938-6113 for a free legal consultation.
Injured offshore? Get ready to fight for maintenance and cure
Description: If you’ve been seriously injured in a maritime accident, you may be unable to work for a period of time. While you can’t work, you could qualify for “maintenance and cure” from your employer to cover your living and medical expenses. However, your employer may not offer you the full amount that you deserve.
Punitive Damages Are Available for Failure to Pay Maintenance and Cure
Description: If your Jones Act employer fails to pay maintenance and cure benefits to you under general maritime law, and this failure is determined to have been willful and arbitrary, then the jury or judge is allowed to award you punitive damages for such failure.
Maintenance and Cure Resolved In Favor of Seaman
Description: Under Maritime Law of Maintenance and Cure, all doubts are to be resolved in favor of the injured Jones Act seaman. Read the main case on maintenance and cure law here.

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The Jones Act:

Burden of Proof under the Jones Act- How Hard is it to win my case?
Description: This article discusses the legal burden of proof under the Jones Act. How hard is it to win your Jones Act case? Find out here!
The Real Difference of the Jones Act
Description: The Jones Act allows an injured employee to fill a suit for negligence and damages directly against their employer. This is a whole different type of case than simply filing against an unknown automobile insurance company or a negligent driver that you may never see again. When you file suit under the Jones Act, you are making the tough decision to put your job on the line. In almost all cases, you will need to stop working for your company once the suit is filed. With this is mind, why would anyone file such a suit; a suit that surely means they will lose their current job and by out of work for a period of time.
Common Jones Act Issues
Description: There are several common issues which appear in many Jones Act cases. We have found that many of our clients have specific questions concerning the following issues: Accident Reports, Recorded Statements, Treating Physician, and Negligent Medical Care

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Show Me The Law! -- Actual Cases to Help You:

Burden of Causation is Featherweight Under the Jones Act
Description: Under the Jones Act the burden of proof for proving causation of your injury is featherweight. Read this article to determine if you can prove your injuries were caused by your accident under the Jones Act.
Punitive Damages for failing to pay maintenance or cure
Description: Under general maritime law, you may collect punitive damages if your employer fails to properly pay maintenance or cure to you after a maritime injury. This article explains when you may collect punitive damages for your company's failure to pay maintenance or cure to you.
You CAN select your own treating doctor under the Jones Act
Description: The Jones Act allows injured seamen to select their own choice of treating doctor. Make sure you pick a doctor you trust to treat you. You do NOT have to treat with any company chosen doctor and this may ruin your case.
What is a Vessel under the Jones Act?
Description: In order for the Jones Act to apply to a particular case, an injured worker must qualify as a “seaman” under the Act. One important qualification of seaman status is that the individual is assigned to a “vessel” or fleet of vessels at the time of his or her accident.

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Newsletters:

July/ August 2009 [PDF]
Description: The Young Firm June/July 2009 Newsletter about maritime and jones act injury lawyers from Louisiana maritime lawyers.
May/June 2009 [PDF]
Description: The Young Firm May/June 2009 Newsletter about maritime and jones act injury lawyers from Louisiana maritime lawyers.
March/April 2009 [PDF]
January/February 2009 [PDF]

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Library of Cases:

Read Here how you can have two employers at the same time under the Jones Act [PDF]
Description: An injured seaman may have two Jones Act employers at the same time under the Jones Act. This case explains how and why this is true. It is important to name both employers in any suit filed under the Jones Act.
All Doubt In A Maintenance and Cure Case Is Resolved In Favor Of Seaman [PDF]
Description: All Doubt In A Maintenance and Cure Case Is Resolved In Favor Of Seaman-- vaughan v. atkinson
Featherweight Causation explained in this case [PDF]
Description: Featherweight Causation under the Jones Act explained in this case
Read about the 'featherweight' burden of proof under the Jones Act [PDF]
Description: Read about the 'featherweight' burden of proof under the Jones Act
This case explains your right to select your own treating doctor under maritime law [PDF]
Description: Under Maritime Law you have the right to select your own treating doctor. Read this case to learn how the company cannot make you treat with their chosen doctor.

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General:

Seamen and PTSD: Get the facts.
Description: When maritime accidents happen, they can be devastating. A worker might escape from a burning oil platform just to spend hours at sea waiting for rescue. After an ordeal like this, a seaman might experience mental as well as physical trauma. Learn how to recognize PTSD in maritime workers. If you've been injured while working offshore, the Young Firm can help you get fair compensation. Call us at 866-938-6113 to learn more.
Herniated disks - a painful and common maritime injury
Description: Sailors and seamen are especially vulnerable to back and neck injuries. Hours of hard physical work can take its toll on your back and cause a variety of injuries, including herniated disks. If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident, call the Louisiana maritime injury experts at The Young Firm at 866-938-6113. We can help get you compensated for your pain, treatment, and on-going care.
How do you know if your off-shore injury case requires a maritime lawyer?
Description: How do you know if your injury case requires a maritime attorney? Find the answers to frequently asked questions. Maritime law requires special expertise. The attorneys at The Young Firm have more than 50 years of experience with maritime and Jones Act cases. Call us at (866)938-6113, and let us put our expertise to work for you.
We Are Handling Cases Against the Following Companies
Description: Our Louisiana Maritime Lawyers are currently handing Jones Act and maritime claims against these companies.