As the largest city in northern California, San Jose is near some of the state’s major seaports, including the Port of San Francisco and the Port of Oakland. The maritime industry has a significant economic impact on the state, but most of its jobs are at high risk of injury. Seamen, harbor workers, and vessel passengers are entitled to special protection under U.S. maritime law.

If you or a loved one suffer injuries while working on a vessel, it is best to work with a maritime lawyer in San Jose. Shea & Shea is a highly experienced San Jose law firm that will protect your rights as a maritime worker.

A maritime injury lawyer from our team will evaluate your case and help you choose the best course of action. If we determine you have a valid claim under the Jones Act, Shea & Shea will help you recover your damages.

Maritime Law

Maritime law or admiralty law is a specific collection of regulations, treaties, and laws that govern seagoing vessels, the employees who work on them, and other nautical matters.

The regulations surrounding ships are so tight that almost any legal or illegal activity relating to vessels or shipping on the seas falls under the jurisdiction of maritime law. It also covers people who experience offshore accidents, the carriage of cargo and passengers, ship inspection procedures, and ship registration.

The Jones Act is a section of maritime laws relating to maritime-based personal injury cases. It allows specific workers to seek relief for damages or injuries they sustain while performing their duties at sea or in a harbor.

Maritime work can be hazardous, with employees experiencing accidents due to explosions, fires, weather, negligent actions of others, and more. As such, admiralty law puts a heavy burden on employers to keep their vessels, rigs, and harbors safe. Failing to do so can make companies liable for their employees’ injuries and deaths in some instances.

Types of Maritime Injury Law Cases

Any time a person operates heavy-duty machinery or a mode of transportation, the risk of an accident is present. Maritime activities are no different. There are countless ways a person can sustain injuries while at sea or working in a harbor, but negligence, human errors, and faulty equipment are the primary causes.

Here are some of the most common mishaps that may require the assistance of a maritime accident lawyer.

Offshore Oil Rig Mishaps: Maritime workers can have serious injuries or die from oil rig incidents, cush as explosions, falls, jack-up rig accidents, and equipment failure.
Commercial Fishing Mishaps: Commercial fishing is a large global industry with a high risk of death and injury due to onboard injuries, falling overboard the ship, and rough conditions at sea.
Accidents on Crude Oil Tankers and Cargo Ships: Exposure to the toxic gases from crude oil puts maritime employees at risk for sickness and injuries from explosions and fires.
Crane Mishaps: Cranes are essential equipment on cargo ships and harbors, but they require focus, skill, and training to operate safely. Carelessly using a crane creates dangerous conditions for maritime workers. Workers can also sustain irreparable physical injury due to faulty crane winches or wires.
Grounding of Ships: Unintentionally grounding a ship can lead to significant damage to the section of the hull that is underwater. Depending on the ship’s load and the extent of the grounding, workers could sustain injuries due to the incident.
Maritime Accidents Because of Drugs and Alcohol: Operating a sea vessel or heavy-duty equipment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs reduces a person’s ability to work safely and prevent avoidable accidents.
Cargo Hauling Accidents: Cargo haulers often develop injuries loading and unloading vessels due to operator error due to negligence, fatigue, poor communication, or inexperience.
Accidents on Barges: The construction of barges does not allow the watercraft to navigate waters easily. Operators who do not have experience driving a barge or using its towing equipment can cause accidents.
Cruise Vessel MIshaps: Millions of people enjoy vacationing on cruise ships. Unfortunately, extreme weather conditions and negligent workers pose a danger to the ship employees and passengers.

Damages From a Maritime Injury

Unlike simple land-based personal injury cases, maritime injuries from negligence-related accidents often result in life-altering injuries. Seamen and dockworkers may have to stop working for days, weeks, or months at a time to recover. Sometimes, the injuries prevent them from earning a sustainable living in the future, putting a severe financial strain on their families.

As a victim of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for your damages that occur due to a maritime injury or loss of life. Compensation can be for tangible and intangible damages, which may include:

Current and Future Medical Expenses
Lost Wages
Pain and Suffering
Rehabilitation Costs
Future Economic Losses
Wrongful Death

Get Real Help With Maritime Injury Claims

As a maritime worker, you have the right to pursue damages for your injuries with the help of a maritime lawyer in San Jose. Maritime law is complex, so recovering damages without legal counsel can be detrimental to your case.

At Shea & Shea, we handle the legal work for you so that you and your family can concentrate on healing. We have a history of recovering millions of dollars for past clients through settlements and verdicts because of our legal experience and passion for helping others. Whether you sustain injuries out at sea or inland navigational waters, a maritime injury lawyer from our law firm will assist you.

Maritime Lawyer

Maritime Law

Types of Maritime Injury Law Cases

Damages From a Maritime Injury

Get Real Help With Maritime Injury Claims

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