Metairie MARITIME ACCIDENT LAWYER
Representing Injured Seamen, Dockworkers, and Vessel Crews Across the Gulf and Lake Pontchartrain
Louisiana’s economy and culture are deeply tied to the water. From tugboats and crew vessels on the Mississippi River to fishing and supply boats on Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf, countless residents in the Metairie area make their living on or near navigable waterways. When a vessel operator, employer, or company fails to provide safe working conditions, maritime law provides powerful tools for recovery.
The Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents injured seamen, longshoremen, harbor workers, and others hurt in maritime and boating accidents. Whether your case involves a commercial vessel, dockside injury, or serious recreational collision, Lawyer Don uses his knowledge of federal maritime statutes and Louisiana waterways to pursue full compensation.
Understanding Maritime Accidents in Louisiana
Most water-related injury cases in southern Louisiana fall under federal maritime law, not state personal injury law. The applicable statute depends on your role and where the accident occurred:
- Jones Act Seamen: Those who spend at least 30% of their working time aboard a vessel in navigation may bring claims for employer negligence, including maintenance and cure, medical costs, and lost wages.
- Longshore and Harbor Workers: Dock, shipyard, and offshore loading personnel are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which covers medical treatment and disability benefits.
- General Maritime Law: Covers claims for unseaworthy vessels, third-party negligence, and vessel collisions involving crew boats, barges, or supply vessels.
Lawyer Don has experience with all three categories and ensures each claim is filed under the correct legal framework to maximize recovery.
Common Maritime and Boating Incidents
While recreational boating accidents still occur on nearby lakes and bayous, most serious injuries in the Metairie area involve commercial or industrial activity. Common incidents include:
- Tugboat and barge collisions on the Mississippi River
- Falls, crush injuries, or line handling accidents aboard work vessels
- Equipment or crane failures at docks or terminals
- Exposure to hazardous materials or unsafe working conditions offshore
- Fires, explosions, or mechanical failures due to improper maintenance
- Negligence by vessel owners, operators, or third-party contractors
These events can lead to severe injuries such as burns, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or drowning. In fatal cases, families may pursue wrongful death or survival actions under maritime law.
Were You Injured in a Boating Accident? Call Lawyer Don Today
If you need legal assistance, the first step is talking to an experienced accident injury attorney about your situation. Call or contact us today for more information. We're available 24/7.
Determining Liability and Building the Case
Maritime cases often involve overlapping state, federal, and admiralty jurisdiction. Lawyer Don’s investigation process includes:
- Preserving vessel logs and maintenance records
- Interviewing crew members, supervisors, and Coast Guard investigators
- Consulting marine engineers and safety experts
- Identifying negligent employers, vessel owners, or third-party contractors
- Coordinating with insurers and maritime claims adjusters
By handling every detail early, he prevents vessel owners and insurers from using technicalities, such as disputing a worker’s seaman status, to avoid paying full benefits.
Recoverable Compensation
Depending on your classification and claim type, compensation may include:
- Maintenance and cure benefits (daily living and medical costs)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term rehabilitation or disability care
- Funeral and wrongful death benefits for surviving families
Each claim is supported through thorough documentation, including medical records, Coast Guard reports, expert testimony, and vessel data, to build the strongest possible case.
Deadlines for Maritime Claims
The statute of limitations for most maritime personal injury actions is three years under federal law, though shorter deadlines may apply for specific state-based or employer-filed claims. Acting quickly is essential to preserve evidence and witness accounts before they are lost to time or tides.
Why Injured Maritime Workers Choose Lawyer Don
Extensive Experience
Proven experience representing seamen, longshoremen, and harbor workers
Local Knowledge
Command of federal maritime statutes and Louisiana’s navigable waterways
PROVEN RESULTS
Documented results in serious injury and wrongful death maritime cases
Direct Client Attention
Direct, one-on-one representation from start to finish
STRATEGIC COORDINATION
Strategic communication with insurers, vessel owners, and employers
Real Testimonials
Community Resources
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
600 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Clerk of Court: (504) 310-7700
United States Eastern District of Louisiana
500 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Clerk of Court: (504) 589-7600
Louisiana Supreme Court
400 Royal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Clerk of Court: (504) 310-2300
29th Judicial District Court
15045 River Road
P.O. Box 424
Hahnville, LA 70057
Clerk of Court: (985) 783-663
State of Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal
101 Derbigny Street
Gretna, Louisiana 70053
Clerk of Court: (504) 376-1400
Speak With Metairie Maritime Injury Lawyer About Your Situation
If you’ve been injured on a vessel, at a dock, or in any maritime operation near Metairie, you need counsel who understands both federal maritime law and local waterways. Call the Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr. at (504) 508-6414 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless your case is successful.
