San Diego Harbor Port Injury Attorney

The Port of San Diego is the 4th largest port in the state and a prominent commercial hub for fishing, cargo, shipping, and cruise ship docking. The port currently supports more than 20,000 employees across the country. 

Sadly, port accidents happen all too often. Every day, maritime workers on docks, bridges, harbors, and piers face work-related risks and hazards.

Harbor workers who sustain serious injuries may be entitled to recover medical benefits and lost wages. To ensure the best outcome for their claim, they should contact a San Diego longshore accident lawyer as soon as possible. Their lawyer will help them understand maritime law and ensure that their interests are protected throughout the process.

San Diego Maritime Personal Injury Claims

Maritime law spans across state and shorelines, which is why it’s designated under federal jurisdiction. In California, workers’ compensation laws generally prohibit workers from filing lawsuits against their negligent employers and limit the amount they can recover for a work-related injury. 

Under the Jones Act, maritime workers on a passenger or commercial vessel, barge, or container ship enjoy certain protections when they sustain injuries from maritime accidents. They may be allowed to recover damages from the ship’s owner when these injuries are caused by the latter’s negligence or if the vessel was unseaworthy – which essentially means that it’s not fit to safely travel on the sea.

Another law that offers protections for maritime workers such as dockhands, shipbuilders, and longshoremen is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Under this Act, workers can still file personal injury claims for negligence. They may seek a settlement for the damages they’ve suffered as a result of their injury.

Accidental Death & Marine Injuries

With marine jobs, there’s a lot that can go wrong, and accidents are frequent. Common work-related injuries for maritime workers include:

• Burn injuries from a ship fire or explosion
• Injuries from falling overboard
• Injuries from accidents involving equipment such as winches, trawls, cranes, or forklifts
• Chemical burns from or exposure to hazardous chemicals being transported or stored
• Injuries from boating collisions
• Wrongful death 

Many of the accidents that result in the injuries listed above are caused by employers who don’t uphold their duty of care and are negligent in their responsibilities. A maritime employer is considered negligent if they do NOT provide safe working conditions, ensure adequate supervision, implement safety policies and protocols, offer ample training, and supply proper safety gear and equipment.

Contact a San Diego Maritime Lawyer Today

Port and harbor accidents are covered by federal law, and often have a higher burden of proof than the average workers’ comp claim. If you or a family member has been injured in a maritime accident, you need an experienced San Diego maritime lawyer. 

A maritime lawyer can help you with the investigation process, determine the severity of your injuries, and seek the maximum possible compensation from the negligent parties. Our team at Hamparyan Law will aggressively fight for your rights and interests. 

Call (619) 550-1355 or message us to book a free consultation.