Our Preeminent Legal Representation Can Help You Get Compensation, Justice, and Closure After a Harbor Accident
When a legal team has four attorneys named as “Best Lawyers” ® in America by US News & World Report, you can expect results. Our team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is a preeminent law firm focusing on maritime accidents like yours. Let our leading law firm guide your claim to success.
Whether you are a crewmember or simply a passenger on a ship, you may find yourself injured while embarking or disembarking on a ship, or simply traveling across the harbor. These accidents can be serious, leading to injury and death, but the at-fault party may try to avoid paying for your injuries.
When this happens, you may have grounds to contact a Honolulu harbor accident lawyer to learn more about your options to file a claim. Our cruise ship accident attorneys are experienced in general maritime accident cases occurring on cruise ships, cargo ships, and charter boats; and can guide you through the specifics of your case and help you get compensated fairly for your suffering.
About Honolulu Harbor
Honolulu Harbor is not just the principal seaport of Honolulu, but of the entire state of Hawai’i. In fact, the harbor was the seed of urbanization that would develop the island of Oahu into its current state.
As Hawai’i’s primary port, Honolulu Harbor imports more than 11 million tons of goods every year. The harbor also features two cruise ship terminals, which see thousands of visitors every day due to the popularity of Hawai’i as a vacation and cruise destination.
Legal Statutes Impacting Harbor Workers
Accidents that happened in a harbor may come with specific laws that impact the way you handle your case. Specifically, harbors and the sea beyond them fall under maritime and admiralty law. That means your claim may not be handled in the same ways other personal injury claims would.
Because of this, you may need to take different steps, especially if you are a crewmember. Below are a few laws that can help you recover.
Traditional Maritime Law Regarding Injuries
Under traditional maritime law, any crewmembers who are injured while in the service of a vessel are entitled to maintenance and cure after an injury. That means that employers are obligated to provide medical care through a crewmember’s maximum medical improvement as well as funds for the living expenses and lost wages that would have otherwise supported the worker while they recover from their injuries.
However, entitlement to maintenance and cure may sometimes be limited through collective bargaining agreements or other variables under the law. And, what if an injured crewmember reaches maximum medical improvement, but still has significant lifelong limitations associated with their injuries? There are other maritime laws that provide avenues of compensation for injured crewmembers beyond just maintenance and cure.
The Jones Act
The Jones act gives crewmembers a right to sue their employer, if their employer caused an injury producing accident through negligence. Accidents at sea can lead to dangerous or even deadly injuries, so if the injured crewmember can prove negligence on the part of the employer, they can receive further compensation through the Jones Act.
Further, the law of Unseaworthiness, provides a crewmember with a cause of action if a ship is improperly equipped, or not properly maintained, or has inadequate crew (in numbers or training), or inadequate procedures.
These causes of action include situations such as failure to properly train crewmembers, failing to warn about dangerous situations that could cause employee accidents, or failing to ensure that crewmembers have adequate safety equipment.
Common Injuries at Honolulu Harbors
Because harbors can be such dangerous areas, certain injuries may not only be common, but can be deadly. These injuries can come from both repetitive injuries due to the heavy labor done by crewmembers, as well as sudden, dangerous accidents.
If you have suffered any of these injuries, among other related injuries, reach out to a harbor accident lawyer to learn more about your options following a Honolulu accident:
- Fractured bones and joint injuries
- Overboard accidents
- Burn injuries
- Drowning
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Electrocution
- Slip and fall accidents
Steps to Take After a Harbor Accident
Following a harbor accident, it can be difficult to take the right steps forward to recover from your injuries. Fortunately, your attorney is here to guide you.
If you are struggling to recover in the aftermath of a harbor accident, be sure to take these steps. Your maritime attorney can guide you through the process of recovery following a harbor accident and can help you seek compensation.
Get Medical Care
First, seek medical care right away. Even if you do not feel injured immediately after the accident, you may have suffered delayed injuries that will only make themselves apparent once the adrenaline has worn off or once you have had medical scans and exams. Acting now can help you prevent your injuries from worsening.
Gather Evidence
Once you have received medical attention, you need to gather evidence of negligence, how the accident happened, and the aftermath of that accident. Evidence can be destroyed or decay over time, which leaves you with less proof to pursue your claim. Talk to your cruise ship injury attorney about gathering this evidence and taking action now.
Report the Accident to the Proper Authorities
When a harbor accident happens, you may also need to notify certain authorities. That may include the port authority, the Coast Guard, or the owner and operator of any vessels involved in the accident. When an accident like this happens, it is best to notify any authorities that may need a report, as they may be able to prevent further damage and act as a witness for your case.
Contact Our Distinguished Harbor Accident Law Firm
Following a serious injury, you may feel overwhelmed by the specific needs of your case and the steps you will need to take to recover. Harbor accidents can be difficult to juggle, and you may feel overwhelmed by the process of your physical recovery alone.
Seeking out an attorney now can make the above steps easier. We can guide you through the details of your harbor accident claim and ensure that you are getting the support you need in the courtroom.
Our Maritime Accident Lawyers Offer the Highest Quality Legal Experience for Complex Honolulu Harbor Accident Survivors
Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is an award-winning team of attorneys who have already recovered more than $300 million for our clients. Since our founding in 1971, we have received many awards for our hard work, including being named in “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report since 2016. We have also been recognized as Martindale Hubbell AV Rated, an honor only 10% of attorneys hold.
Following a Honolulu harbor accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit, but you may feel exhausted already from juggling your physical recovery and financial losses. That makes it difficult to focus on your legal claim, where any mistakes can lead to a diminishment or loss of compensation.
Your Honolulu harbor accident lawyer is here to help. Reach out to an attorney for a free consultation to learn more about what you can do following an accident. To start with a free consultation, simply call 877-233-1238 or fill out our online contact form.
