Maritime Lawyer

Maritime Law - Does it Govern More than Ships?

Maritime law is a body of rules, regulations and standards that has been in existence for centuries, and many of the traditions and expectations that are in place today can be traced back to prehistoric times. Williams Kherkher is a law firm that represents clients in matters relating to maritime law, and below are just a few of the issues that the maritime lawyers have and will continue to handle. If you have a problem that relates to the sea, contact the maritime lawyers at Williams Kherkher today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Worker Injuries

Working at sea has always been a dangerous activity, as ship workers are at the mercy of the ship's construction, the crew around him or her, the leadership on the vessel and of course the weather, which is only predictable in that it's always unpredictable. All of these factors add up to the fact that sea-faring workers are injured, and quite seriously, often, and for many years, these sea workers did not have a uniform standard of protection to turn to when they needed help.

That all changed in the 20th Century with the passing of the Jones Act by Congress. This enormous piece of legislation provides those uniform standards that sea-faring workers need so that they can properly plan for their recovery and get back on their feet. Specifically, the Jones Act applies when a sea worker is injured, and it also provides for cure and maintenance payments for the injured worker while he or she recovers from the injuries suffered.

Passenger Injuries

Millions of people every year travel by sea, some for pleasure cruises and others for some sort of professional transport. Regardless of why passengers board a ship, they deal with some of the same risks as sea workers, as any ship, regardless of size, can fall prey to the ever-changing weather patterns and currents.

The complication regarding passengers arises when they are injured in that there is no governing rule of law that applies to these situations, such as the Jones Act does for workers. Not to mention, if you are injured while a passenger at sea, difficult questions regarding jurisdiction and ultimate liability can arise, especially when the ship is owned by a foreign corporation and the injuries occur in international waters.

If you have suffered any type of injury at sea, the best step you can take is to contact a maritime lawyer at Williams Kherkher today to schedule a free initial consultation.