Connecticut Maritime Law
Our maritime personal injury attorneys carry decades of experience handling maritime and admiralty law cases. We have represented commercial fisherman, Jones Act seamen, longshoremen, recreational boaters, cruise ship passengers, dinner/tourist boat passengers, ferry passengers, yacht club participants, and charter boat passengers all throughout the U.S.
Each one and every one of our attorneys are determined to see your case as far along as necessary to achieve maximum compensation. If you or a loved one have been injured in Stonington, Mystic, New London, New Haven, or elsewhere in Connecticut, please reach out to our law firm BOATLAW, LLP by calling 1-800-262-8529 for a free consultation.
New London County Maritime Attorneys in CT
Connecticut lies in the New England region of the Northeastern U.S. Along with its rivers and three major deep-water ports (Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London), the state’s long association with shipbuilding has given Connecticut a strong maritime reputation.
The Port of New Haven is the highest volume commercial shipping port on the Long Island Sound and accommodates ships ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 tons. Fairfield County is home to the corporate headquarters of numerous blue water commercial shipping companies that operate around the world.
CT is also home to various smaller harbors that provide employment to thousands of commercial fishermen, seamen, longshoremen, and overall maritime workers. Although these jobs offer good compensation and attractive benefits, they can also be very dangerous. Many workers, either injured at sea or offshore, become victims of maritime personal injury accidents after loading or unloading cargo, operating forklifts, falling from particularly large ships, and facing unseaworthiness.
Maritime workers who are injured on the job are protected under federal statutes such as the Jones Act. The law covers seamen and their right to receive pay and maintenance if they are injured in a maritime accident. Longshore and offshore workers are compensated for injuries through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Workers covered by LHWCA can receive compensation to pay for medical bills, recovery from illness and lost wages.
Truth is, being a victim of a maritime personal injury accident can result in a lot of suffering. An experienced Connecticut maritime attorney can help injured workers and their loved ones navigate their way throughout these unsettling times.
Information Center:
- Connecticut Jones Act Attorneys
- Areas We Serve in the State of Connecticut
- Common Maritime Claims in New Haven, Connecticut
- Recreational Boaters in Long Island Sound
- Common Maritime Personal Injuries
- Connecticut Maritime Resources
- Additional Resources
Connecticut Jones Act Attorneys
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, is a federal statute that was passed in order to help injured seamen recover. Working as a seaman is an extremely high-risk occupation. Large equipment, heavy loads, and drastic weather conditions can all contribute to an elevated risk of personal injury. The Jones Act is a specific protection under admiralty law that ensures seamen receive appropriate compensation and care after an injury.
When a seaman is injured on the job, they are entitled to several different areas of compensation including (but not limited to): lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical care, past medical bills, diminished earning capacity and more. Common maritime injuries include drowning, respiratory diseases, slips and falls on the deck, and falling off the sea vessel.
Areas We Serve in the State of Connecticut
Our maritime injury attorneys at BOATLAW, LLP are proud to represent commercial fisherman in Connecticut. Common commercial fishing in Connecticut includes blue crab, squid, lobster, whelk, American shad, sea scallop, horseshoe crab, American eel, Atlantic tomcod, black sea bass, bluefish, fluke (summer flounder), red drum, scup (porgy), tautog (blackfish), weakfish (sea trout), winter flounder, Atlantic cod, haddock, and pollock. BOATLAW, LLP also represents longshoremen, ferry passengers, yacht club passengers, and recreational boaters in the following areas:
- Stamford
- Rowayton
- Norwalk
- Westport
- Southport
- Fairfield
- Bridgeport
- Stratford
- Milford
- West Haven
- New Haven
- East Haven
- Branford
- Guilford
- Essex
- Middletown
- Madison
- Westbrook
- Old Saybrook
- Old Lyme
- Niantic
- Waterford
- New London
- Norwich
- Groton
- Mystic
- Stonington
- Pawcatuck
- Stonington
- Mystic
- New London
Common Maritime Claims in New Haven, Connecticut
BOATLAW, LLP represents injured individuals all throughout the U.S. including Stonington, Mystic, New Haven and New London. Legal issues that our firm handles include, but are not limited to:
- Jones Act
- Maintenance and Cure
- LHWCA
- Negligence
- Unseaworthiness
Recreational Boaters in Long Island Sound
Our Long Island Sound maritime lawyers also represent clients with recreating boating and watersport cases. Common claims include personal watercraft accidents, yacht accidents, and sightseeing and dinner cruise accidents.
- Personal watercraft accidents: Accidents involving jet skis and other personal watercraft accidents can be caused by several factors such as distractions, alcohol use, speeding, reckless operation and more. Individuals who are injured due to operator negligence may be able to recover compensation.
- Yacht accidents: Operators of yachts are required to follow several boating rules and safety laws. When these rules are violated and an accident occurs, owners can be held accountable for ensuing injuries.
- Sightseeing/dinner cruise accidents: Sightseeing and dinner cruises are popular activities for individuals who love to vacation. Unfortunately, passengers can suffer severe injuries when cruise operators are negligent. If you have been injured on a sightseeing or dinner cruise, our attorneys will help you achieve the best outcome possible on your case.
Common Maritime Personal Injuries
Maritime workers labor in risky conditions and because of this, they are susceptible to experience different injuries. The slippery conditions, unstable nature of the ocean and heavy equipment can make the maritime work environment hazardous. On or offshore, workers suffer several common injuries including (but not limited to):
- Back and neck injuries – Since back and neck injuries are often the leading cause of injury for maritime workers, it’s important to treat them properly. Trauma acquired in both back and neck can lead to permanent disability. If you have this type of injury, contact BOATLAW, LLP for a consultation with our Connecticut back injury lawyer.
- Shoulder injuries – Seamen frequently suffer shoulder injuries while working on the harbor, dock or fishing vessel. The injury can result from repetitive motion, lifting and carrying heavy items, and more. Unfortunately, shoulder injuries can lead to collarbone problems and fractures.
- Slip and fall/trip and fall – Seamen working on or offshore can often experience slips, trips, or falls. Unfortunately, these accidents can result in serious injuries, lifelong physical pain, and even wrongful death.
- Brain injury – Maritime workers experience open head injuries when the skull is fractured, pierce of cracked. When an injury occurs to the brain, it can cause significant and debilitating pain.
- Burns – Seamen working with oil, gas, and flammable chemicals can often be victims of burn injuries. At BOATLAW, LLP, our maritime attorneys are determined to protect and represent seamen significantly injured onshore or offshore.
Connecticut Maritime Resources
Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc.
2 Ferry Street, PO Box 33
New London, CT 06320
(860) 443-5281
2 Ferry Street, PO Box 33
New London, CT 06320
(860) 444-4624
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company
1 Ferry Access Rd,
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(888) 443-3779
741 Boston Post Road,
Suite 200 Guilford, CT 06437
1 (800) 894-8570
Commercial Terminals in New Haven, CT
165 Church Street,
New Haven, CT 06510
Connecticut Charter and Party Boat Association
20 1st St
Waterford, CT 06385
(860) 375-3474
Additional Resources
Maritime Administration (MARAD) – Visit the MARAD website to find information about maritime acts and programs. It was established in 1850. MARAD’s mission is to foster the maritime industry of the U.S. to meet the nation’s economic and security needs.
The Maritime Law Association – Founded in 1899, The Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA) is a legal organization created to advance reforms in the maritime law of the U.S. Visit the website to read recent news and announcements or become a member.
Connecticut Maritime Association – Visit the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) which is a non-profit organization located in Fairfield County. Fairfield County has a strong reputation for being the headquarters of several deepwater commercial shipowners operating around the world. The CMA offers monthly luncheons, social events, scholarships, internships and more.
BOATLAW, LLP | Maritime Injury Attorney in Connecticut
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a maritime accident at sea or offshore, contact our team of dedicated attorneys at BOATLAW, LLP. We have provided legal representation to those injured at sea since 1977. Our goal is to enable our clients to sit back and focus on their physical recovery while we take care of their financial recovery.
BOATLAW, LLP have successfully represented victims of maritime injuries throughout Connecticut, Alaska, Los Angeles, CA, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, and Seattle, Washington. Please call 1-800-262-8529 to set up a free and confidential consultation with one of our maritime injury attorneys.
