Overview of Maritime Accident Injury Acts that May Apply to Your Case (Part A)
There are several maritime injury acts that may apply to you if you’re injured in a maritime accident. When seeking compensation under one of the maritime acts, a Lafayette injury lawyer may be beneficial to resolving your claim. Attorneys for the Lafayette, LA area are near the common gulf ports of New Orleans and can help injured workers seek justice
The 3 Main Maritime Injury Acts: OCSLA, DOHSA, and LHWCA
Your maritime accident claim may fall under one of the 3 major maritime injury acts: OCSLA, DOHSA or LHWCA. Considering the complexity of the acts, it would be wise to speak to attorneys about your Lafayette, LA accident.
OCSLA is the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which applies to workers located in federal waters considered part of the Outer Continental Shelf. OCSLA doesn’t focus so much on the worker's profession, but rather the location of the worksite where the injury took place.
DOHSA, the Death on the High Seas Act, applies to cases where a maritime injury results in the death of a worker. The recovery of compensation in these claims can be a lengthy process best handled by a Lafayette injury lawyer with experience in wrongful death maritime claims. Coverage under this act depends on the worker's classification as a seaman under admiralty law and the location where the fatal injury took place.
LHWCA is the Longshoreman & Harbor Workers Compensation Act, which applies to dock workers who are injured while loading/unloading a ship. Under other maritime acts, dock and harbor workers, who are not considered seamen, are often not covered due to their employment on shore. This act helps dock workers injured at work recover damages specific to their employment, much like the Jones Act for maritime workers.
Contact attorneys that handle Lafayette, LA maritime accident claims. They are valuable resources for injured workers who are employed in maritime, harbor and other similar professions near or around Lafayette. An injury lawyer can help you gather the necessary elements for your claim and help you pursue a fair and full settlement.
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