Maritime Injury

Johnson & Associates, PC Represents Injured Seaman, Oilrig Workers, and Longshoremen in Alaska

The State of Alaska has 47,300 miles of coastline and at last count, 3200 named lakes and many thousands of inland bodies of water. Alaska is a marine-oriented state with a thriving marine economy. Cruise ships are also a significant presence along the coastal waters of Alaska. As a result of the economy and lifestyle of many Alaskans, marine environment injuries are more common than in other states. An injury that takes place offshore or on a vessel is subject to marine law, including the Jones Act.

Injured on a watercraft vessel? Call our Alaska maritime injury lawyer for a free consultation!

The law governing personal injury cases occurring in a body of water are different than similar land-based claims. Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a special area of the law that controls how lawsuits are conducted in instances of marine-based accidents and other matters. Johnson & Associates, PC understands the challenges this branch of the law produces in any personal injury claim and have years of experience helping injured sailors, cruise ship passengers and victims of pleasure boat collisions.

Injured on a Cruise Ship?

If you have been injured while on a cruise ship, then you should contact us at your earliest opportunity so that we can assess you case and proceed with your claim. It isn’t often realized that your passenger ticket is a contract with the cruise ship company. There is a limitation of time in which a claim can be made, as little as six months in some cases. The contract implies that the cruise ship affords you a reasonable standard of care which also covers unseaworthiness claims.

The Jones Act of 1920

There is a branch of law going back thousands of years which was developed to standardize commerce conducted on ships. Prior to the United States gaining independence, all claims of this nature were decided in the Admiralty Court located in England. Our modern day admiralty law comes from these origins and still exists to standardize issues that are unique to the sea. One such issue is the responsibility that a vessel owner has to the people who are on the ship, oil rig platform, or other movable seagoing vessel.

The Jones Act is legislation that was enacted to protect sailors who became ill or who were injured while working aboard a ship. Under this act you must be given medical aid and care under a provision called “cure and maintenance.” Seaman injuries claims must be evaluated by an experienced admiralty law attorney to ensure that they are not incorrectly managed. You are entitled to

• Reasonable room and board
• Medical expenses, including transportation to your medical practitioner

There is a specific legal definition that must be met in order to make a claim under admiralty law. If you have been injured or become ill working as a seaman, contact Johnson & Associates, PC. Your case must be carefully crafted if you hope to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries and other damages.

Ensure you get all that is rightfully yours by contacting a personal injury lawyer in Anchorage today so we can evaluate the facts of your case, and initiate legal action for you. There are other avenues of that could provide you with added compensation that could be pursued, and we are zealous in identifying all such options, so that we can take advantage of every opportunity. Johnson & Associates, PC, offers an initial consultation for free, so if you would like to explore your options, you have nothing to lose!

Call Us Today to Request Your Free Case Evaluation

Filing a personal injury lawsuit under maritime law requires a specialized approach as the laws are complex, and claims are often subject to being contested by the defendant. There are also areas of civil law that could allow for litigation depending on the circumstances. To ensure you do not lose any compensation you could be entitled to recover, contact us for an initial no charge consultation.

The state of Alaska has more coastline and marine waters than any other state. We boast some of the most important commercial fishing in the world, and a large global presence in maritime shipping and commerce. Commercial fishermen and fishing workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in America. Injuries are common and multiple deaths occur every year.

Those who work on boats, or “seamen”, are not covered by workers compensation like land-based workers. Instead, seamen are protected by special laws that give them certain rights to medical care, living expenses, lost income, and compensation for their injuries. These laws are different than most land-based laws, and if properly applied, can provide compensation far in excess of workers compensation. However, because of the complexities of maritime law, anyone seriously injured while working on or for a boat needs to contact an experienced maritime attorney for guidance and representation.

The attorneys at Johnson & Associates, PC, have over 25 years combined experience representing injured seamen, other maritime workers, and passengers. We are experienced on deck and in the courtroom, and estimate that we handle more maritime injury claims than any other law firm in Alaska. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in fair compensation for our maritime clients. If you have been injured at sea or while in the service of a vessel, call Douglas G. Johnson today for a free consultation. (907) 277-3090.