Mariner Law specializes in representing individuals with claims arising from the the Jones Act and maritime law. The firm assists those who were injured on or around the water, and those who tragically lost a loved one at sea. Admiralty Attorney Josh Marino is proud to use his decades of experience as a maritime lawyer to zealously advocate for firm clients. Unlike other law firms, Mariner Law, does not prioritize taking on as many injured clients as possible. The firm represents only a few select clients that were injured offshore. Indeed, that's how Mariner Law developed its excellent reputation in the niche field of maritime law -- by putting its clients first every time.
The maritime industry in Louisiana is vast. It encompasses crucial sectors to the state and nation economy, including shipping, transportation, oil and gas, commercial fishing, and boat building. The state's geographical location along the Gulf of America (also known as the Gulf of Mexico) and access to the Mississippi River -- one of the busiest and most important waterways in North America -- makes Louisiana one of the busiest hubs for maritime commerce in the United States. The ports in Louisiana handle a large volume of cargo each year, supporting everything from agricultural products and chemicals to heavy machinery and crude oil.
Southern Louisiana is home to several vital river systems that shape the region’s economy. The Mississippi River is the most significant river in Louisiana, forming much of the state’s eastern border. As the longest river in North America, it serves as a major transportation route for cargo, including agricultural products, petroleum, and chemicals. The Atchafalaya River, a major distributary of the Mississippi, flows through the Louisiana delta, eventually emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a key waterway for shipping, particularly for the oil and gas industry. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is a crucial network of inland waterways that runs along the Gulf Coast of the United States, stretching from Texas to Florida. In Louisiana, the Intracoastal Waterway provides a safe, protected route between major ports, industrial hubs, and offshore facilities.
Louisiana’s ports, particularly the Port of South Louisiana (Port of New Orleans, Port of Baton Rouge, and Port of Plaquemines), handle large volumes of goods, including agricultural products, chemicals, energy, and manufacturing supplies. As of recent estimates, Louisiana’s ports contribute more than $100 billion annually to the state's economy. The Port of South Louisiana alone is recognized as the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere and ranks among the top 15 worldwide in terms of volume. In terms of economic output, these ports are directly responsible for nearly 300,000 jobs across the state, spanning sectors like shipping, warehousing, logistics, and port management. The Louisiana oil and gas sector accounts for over $5 billion annually, with thousands of jobs tied to offshore oil platforms, pipeline infrastructure, and logistics. The state's waters also produce over 1 billion pounds of seafood annually.
Offshore workers in Louisiana are the backbone of the state economy. Laws like the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act were designed to protect those working in these critical industries.
Work as a seaman, dock worker, or member of the maritime industry in Louisiana can be tough, but it should not be unsafe. When a maritime employer fails to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, great harm can be suffered by innocent employees and passengers aboard vessels. If you have been injured on the job, there may be evidence that vessel operations were not as safe as they should have been. Whether you were injured during vessel maneuvers, while using inadequate equipment, or because you were inadequately trained for the job, you could be entitled to compensation or other benefits. Mariner Law is a maritime law firm with deep experience in maritime law and uses that knowledge to help victims navigate the complex systems of injury claims.
The U.S. CDC reports that the maritime worker nonfatal injury rate is usually twice the rate for the rest of the country overall. Dangers presented working on navigable waters and onshore at shipyards can make the marine transportation sector difficult, especially if there is an absence of caution from a business or organization. Some of the most common types of injuries that require help from an offshore injury lawyer include:
Louisiana's busy waterways are no exception to these risks. Workers -- and even recreational boaters -- may be at risk of injury or death in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Saint Bernard Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Houma, Morgan City, or others.
If you are dealing with a serious injury because of a work-related incident or a boating accident, find out how Mariner Law can help. Call (888) 572-1717 for a free consultation with an admiralty lawyer.
Maritime is complicated, if not arcane. It is made up of overlapping rules and regulations that can make the process of filing a claim confusing and frustrating for victims. The experienced maritime attorneys at Mariner Law are proud to provide valuable assistance to those who are forced to navigate a maritime personal injury case.
A Louisiana seaman or offshore worker may be eligible to file claims under a few broad umbrellas if he or she is harmed on the job, depending on the location of the event. These avenues include the Jones Act, Maintenance and Cure, Unseaworthiness, Wrongful Death, and Negligence.
The Doctrine of Unseaworthiness provides that a ship owner is responsible for providing a seaworthy vessel, including adequate equipment and crew in order to maintain its “seaworthiness.” Under the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30104, seamen can seek money damages for an injury if the maritime employee proves some negligence or fault on the part of the vessel’s owners, operators, officers, or employees. Louisiana seamen who work aboard vessels such as ferries, tour boats, container ships, tugs, barges, chemical tanker, and dry-bulk ships -- and who contribute to the overall vessel function -- can utilize the Doctrine of Unseaworthiness or the Jones Act to maintain their workplace safety rights. Maintenance and Cure may also be available to provide injured seamen with medical expenses, a limited form of wages, and overhead expenses for room and board while they are recovering from an accident that took place aboard a commercial vessel.
Instead of Maintenance and Cure, longshoremen, harbor workers, ship repairers, and other amphibious maritime workers can make a claim under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This law works similarly to Louisiana's workers’ compensation regime by assisting workers with coverage for medical care, vocational rehabilitation services, and compensation to those who are injured on the job. The program is operated by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Finally, the Death on High Seas Act (DOHSA) allows a claim for wrongful death to be filed within three years of a mariner's death at sea to provide his or her surviving family members with limited benefits.
Contact Mariner Law to discuss your legal options if you are employed by the maritime industry in Louisiana or were injured in nearby waters. Call Maritime Attorney Josh Marino for a free consult with a seasoned Jones Act attorney now: (888) 572-1717.
