Admiralty and Maritime Law Explained: What Baton Rouge Workers Need to Know

Baton Rouge also serves as a center for marine and river work. With the Mississippi River at the heart of the city, barges, tugboats, ships, docks, ports and offshore vessels employ thousands who call Baton Rouge home. These are important jobs, but they're also risky. When there is an incident on the high seas, the typical laws for personal injury may not be applicable. Rather, seaborne and vessel law is applicable in these cases.

Understanding how maritime law works can help Baton Rouge workers protect their rights after an injury.

What Is Admiralty and Maritime Law?

Admiralty and maritime law is a distinct body of law that governs accidents, injuries, and disputes occurring on or over navigable waters. This includes rivers, ports, docks and offshore waters. These are mostly federal laws, not state laws, and they are very different from your standard workplace injury rules.

Maritime law applies to many jobs in Baton Rouge, especially those connected to river transport, shipping, offshore work, and port operations. If you were injured while working on or near the water, maritime law may apply to your case.

Who Is Covered Under Maritime Law in Baton Rouge?

Not every worker is covered under the same maritime laws. Coverage depends on your job duties and where the injury happened.

Seamen are usually covered under the Jones Act, which allows injured workers to sue their employer if negligence caused the injury. To qualify as a seaman, you must spend a significant amount of your work time on a vessel.

Dock workers, longshoremen, shipbuilders, and harbor workers may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This law provides medical benefits and wage replacement.

Passengers and non-crew members injured on commercial vessels may also have rights under maritime law.

Common Maritime Accidents in Baton Rouge

Human error, whether through omission or commission, is considered the largest contributor to accidents and incidents in the maritime industry. Typical accidents on ships involve falls, broken bones, drowning and even electrocution. Typical incidents include slips and trips on wet decks, machinery breakdowns, falling cargo, vessel collisions, fires, explosions and insufficient safety training. Since maritime work is with heavy equipment, and in perilous surroundings, the injuries it causes are frequently life-altering or fatal.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Maritime Cases

Maritime workers in Baton Rouge often suffer injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, internal injuries, and amputations. Some workers face permanent disability or long-term medical care.

These injuries can lead to lost income, ongoing medical expenses, and stress for the entire family. Maritime law exists to protect workers from being left without help.

Compensation Available Under Admiralty and Maritime Law

Compensation depends on which law applies to your case. Under maritime law, injured workers may receive medical treatment, lost wages, future earning loss, pain and suffering, and maintenance and cure benefits.

However, employers and insurance companies often try to reduce or deny claims. They may pressure injured workers to accept low settlements or claim the worker was at fault.

This is why legal guidance is so important in maritime injury cases.

Why Maritime Law Cases Are Different

Maritime cases are more complex than regular injury claims. They involve federal laws, strict deadlines, and special legal rules. Many personal injury lawyers do not handle maritime cases because of this complexity.

A lawyer experienced in admiralty and maritime law in Baton Rouge can help determine which law applies, gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies properly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does maritime law apply to river accidents in Baton Rouge?

Yes. Accidents on the Mississippi River and other navigable waters are often covered under admiralty and maritime law.

2. What is the Jones Act, and who qualifies?

The Jones Act protects seamen who are injured due to employer negligence while working on a vessel.

3. Can I sue my employer under maritime law?

In many cases, yes. Maritime law allows injured workers to pursue claims against negligent employers.

4. What is maintenance and cure?

Maintenance and cure are benefits that cover basic living expenses and medical care for injured seamen.

5. How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?

Time limits vary depending on the law that applies, so it’s important to act quickly after an injury.

6. Do I need a maritime lawyer or a regular injury lawyer?

Maritime cases require a lawyer with experience in admiralty and maritime law, not just general injury cases.

How Lindsey Scott Can Help Baton Rouge Maritime Workers

Maritime injuries can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Lindsey Scott represents injured maritime workers across Baton Rouge and Louisiana. With deep knowledge of admiralty and maritime law, the firm helps clients understand their rights, deal with employers and insurers, and pursue fair compensation.

Lindsey Scott works on a no win, no fee basis and offers free consultations. If you were injured while working on navigable waters, reaching out early can make a powerful difference in your recovery and your future.