Conveniently located in Riviera Beach, the Port of Palm Beach provides both cargo and cruise services to a variety of users. It covers 165 acres and processes more than $14 billion in goods every single year. Annually, about 2.5 million tons of cargo pass through the Port of Palm Beach—and the port also welcomes over 400,000 cruise ship passengers each year. No matter which part of the maritime industry you work in, you must aggressively seek compensation if you become injured.
How can BoatLaw, LLP help you fight for justice after a maritime injury? To start, our firm works exclusively in maritime law, so we have both the skills and knowledge needed to handle your most complicated claims in the Port of Palm Beach region. From cruise ship accidents and toxic exposure to oil rig accidents, we’ve helped clients through it all. Our team is led by attorneys Nick Neidzwski and Douglas Williams, who are passionate about helping injured seamen and their families. .
The maritime industry plays a crucial role in every part of the United States, the national economy, and consumers’ access to goods. Although our offices are located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Bellingham, our team enthusiastically serves clients throughout the entire United States.
“BoatLaw, LLP recently represented me in a Jones Act case. Nick Neidzwski and his staff were professional, compassionate, and extremely helpful every step of the way, keeping me involved and in the loop until the very end, looking out for my best interest at all times.” – Cory R.
Common Types of Maritime Accidents
Our firm has handled a wide array of maritime accidents, each with its own dangers and risks. While some accidents are the result of an error in judgment or negligence, some are completely unavoidable—nature is unpredictable, and inclement weather or unexpected obstacles can cause devastating accidents. Some of the accidents and injuries we’ve handled over our decades in practice include:
- Cargo ship accidents
- Capsizing and sinking boats
- Drowning and hypothermia
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment
- Crane accidents
- Port collisions
- Explosions
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Oil rig accidents
- Blindness and vision impairment
- Hearing loss
- Engine room accidents
- Factory trawler injuries
- Basket transfer accidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
Some of these accidents leave maritime workers with minor injuries that require minimal medical follow-up and intervention. Others are serious enough to cause permanent injuries that may take maritime workers out of the workforce permanently. Some, including exposure to toxic chemicals, can result in deadly diseases decades after the first date of exposure.
The Role of Negligence in Maritime Injuries
Negligence plays a critical role in many maritime collisions and accidents. Ships, depending on their size, may have hundreds or even thousands of crew members making sure that everything runs smoothly. A handful of poor or unsafe choices can snowball, leading to devastating and preventable injuries.
Negligence comes into play when a boat is inherently unsafe due to failed inspections or missed maintenance. When employers or vessel owners send ships out even when they are unseaworthy, they are taking unnecessary risks with their employees’ lives. A vessel owner may also be negligent if they have weak training requirements, allow employees to work without the proper training, or do not provide workers with necessary safety gear.
Various laws may help injured seamen and offshore workers pursue compensation when negligence leads to injuries. The Jones Act gives seamen the right to file a claim for compensation, while the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act allows offshore workers to hold negligent employers accountable.
What Type of Compensation Are You Owed?
Full and fair compensation should make you whole for everything you lose in a maritime injury, whether you are a maritime worker or a vessel passenger. Fair compensation should cover your medical expenses resulting from the accident, as well as lost wages caused by unexpected time away from work. If you suffer property damage in the accident, you should also be compensated for that loss.
In some cases, you may receive compensation for lost future earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses. This is typically the case if you can sue a vessel owner or employer when their negligence causes you direct harm.
Let’s Talk—Call BoatLaw, LLP Today
Don’t wait any longer to find out if you’re owed compensation after a maritime injury in the Palm Beach area. The experienced and compassionate team at BoatLaw, LLP is waiting to help you. Call us at 360-671-6711 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
