Houston, Texas Maritime Lawyers and Jones Act Attorneys | Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Offshore Accident Lawyers and Jones Act Injury Lawyer

General maritime law consists of the common law causes of action that have developed over the years. This body of law provides seamen with additional rights and damages outside of the Jones Act. It also allows for claims by the surviving family members for the death of a maritime worker. General maritime law even provides remedies for non-seamen injured at sea or during the course of maritime activities.

The statute of limitations for general maritime claims is three years from the date of the incident. In some cases, the statute can either be shortened or extended so it is important to contact an experienced maritime lawyer to ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner.

The most notable maritime provisions regarding seamen are claims for unseaworthiness, maintenance and cure, and common law negligence against a third party. Also, general maritime law follows a strict liability standard for product liability and provides non-seamen with causes of action for negligence and wrongful death relating to an injury on navigable waterways.

Under general maritime law, punitive damages and attorney's fees are not usually recoverable in cases of a seaman against their employer. In certain circumstances, however, courts have allowed recovery of punitive damages against third-party defendants who are not employers, as long as the claim falls within general maritime law and not under the Jones Act or any other federal statute.

It is imperative that you consult an experienced maritime injury attorney to ensure that your claim is filed properly and in a timely manner. Contact the Texas maritime injury attorneys at Fitts Zehl, LLP toll-free at (800) 99-FITTS or by email at info@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com. We represent clients in states throughout the gulf coast region including: Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Injury on a Cruise Ship-General Maritime Law or Jones Act?
Posted by: rzehl
August 19, 2008

Cruise ships are often a great way to vacation. Unfortunately, preventable injuries can and do occur quite often onboard these ships. Depending upon what you were doing when you were injured, one of two bodies of law will apply to your case. It is important to hire an attorney who knows which body of law applies to your specific case.

If you, as an employee, were working onboard the ship when you were hurt, you will more than likely be a seaman for the purposes of the Jones Act. This means that you may recover damages under the Jones Act for your injuries as well as for any medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and past and future lost wages resulting from the incident.

If you, as a passenger, were onboard the ship when you were hurt, you will more than likely be able to recover damages under General Maritime Law. Although less favorable than the Jones Act, if you can prove that the cruise ship company or its employees breached their duty and were negligent in providing reasonable care for the safety of the passengers, you may be able to recover damages.

Our attorneys represent clients from throughout the Gulf Coast region including Houston, Mobile, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. If you or someone you know has been injured offshore, contact the experienced Texas maritime lawyers at the Fitts Zehl Law Firm by phone at (800) 993-4887 or by email at info@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com.

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