Philadelphia Maritime Lawyers

The maritime sector forms an important part of the local economy in Philadelphia, PA, and this has been true since the establishment of The Port of Philadelphia over 300 years ago. Today, the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (a.k.a. PhilaPort) performs the essential task of managing the varied collection of ports situated along the Delaware River. This is a thriving industry, yet it can be a very dangerous one as well. Injuries are quite common for maritime workers.

However, help is available for maritime employees who become injured on the job. The maritime accident lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., have years of experience helping clients with Jones Act claims and related personal injury matters.

The Issue of Maritime and Offshore Accidents

It’s an unfortunate fact that maritime employers are routinely exposed to a number of serious threats to their health and well-being. Weather conditions at sea are often perilous. Toxic chemicals and other kinds of hazardous cargo can easily cause harm or death if mishandled. Falls on maritime vessels may easily lead to severe personal harm. Common health conditions associated with maritime work include the following:

• Back & spine injuries
• Burns
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Compartment Syndrome
• Amputation
• Pleural (lung) disorders
• Brain damage

Compensation is available to injured maritime personnel, though, and it is important for people in this situation to understand the full range of rights and legal options provided to them by the law.

Maintenance and Cure

A traditional part of maritime law, maintenance and cure refers to payments that seamen receive to provide a modicum of living expenses (maintenance) as well as compensation for any medical expenses that they may accumulate during their recovery (cure). These funds are paid out regardless of the worker’s degree of responsibility for their injuries. This is not the only kind of compensation that seaman can qualify for.

Other Types of Maritime Personal Injury Compensation

There are in fact a variety of laws on the books that protect the rights of injured maritime employees. As one of the leading maritime law firms with a presence in Philadelphia, we have experience with a broad spectrum of issues relating to offshore accidents and health conditions.