Maritime Injuries on Virginia's Eastern Shore

Representation for hurt mariners and longshoremen

The Serious Injury Law Center has extensive knowledge of admiralty law, and helps mariners and longshoremen get proper compensation for serious injuries. The firm represents people who have been severely hurt while working at sea or in area ports including—

Whether you were hurt on a dock or offshore, this firm knows how to use federal law to get you appropriate compensation for your serious work injuries.

Protection for injured mariners under the Jones Act

Mariners have legal rights under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act. This federal law recognizes that seamen deserve special protection because they are exposed to uniquely dangerous work conditions. In addition to traditional ships, boats and barges, Jones Act vessels include—

For a Jones Act claim to be an effective means of achieving proper compensation, the workplace injury site must be established as a vessel in navigable waters—a definition subject to interpretation. The Serious Injury Law Center has the experience to efficiently prove the status of your maritime workplace as a vessel.
The firm then pursues the two fundamental parts of a Jones Act claim:

• Maintenance—a daily stipend for the duration of your recovery
• Cure—total payment of your medical bills

You may also be able to file a lawsuit for additional damages if—

• The vessel was unseaworthy
• Your injuries were due to the negligence of the ship's owners or crew

If you have suffered major injuries while working as a mariner, bring your case to the Serious Injury Law Center for skilled representation.

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Assistance for injured dockworkers under the LHWCA

The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act was created to protect dockworkers, primarily those who load and unload cargo from ships. The LHWCA is a federal law, which eliminates the potential for confusion over jurisdiction when the ships hail from different states or even foreign countries.

Any Virginia stevedore can seek damages for work-related injuries under this law, which often provides better compensation than a traditional workers compensation claim. The Serious Injury Law Center analyzes the circumstances of your accident and the nature of your injuries to help you determine whether you have a valid claim under the LHWCA.

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Get help with your maritime injury claim on Virginia's Eastern Shore

You do not pay any legal fees until you have been compensated. The firm's fee is a percentage of your settlement or award. For help receiving compensation for your maritime work injuries, contact the Serious Injury Law Center in Virginia Beach for a free consultation.