An offshore injury can occur anywhere on any body of water in the country. No matter what state that body of water might be located in, those who work out on the water fall not under the jurisdiction of that state’s law but under the jurisdiction of U.S. maritime law.
Because many Americans are unfamiliar with the concept of maritime law, offshore injuries tend to raise an interesting question: Does the location of an accident affect how maritime law is applied? In short, the answer to this question is generally “no.” However, there are some cases where the location may be relevant.
How Location Affects the Cases of Injured Maritime Workers
Maritime law is still somewhat confusing for many, including maritime workers themselves. As a result, some workers who are injured offshore don’t bother to seek compensation due to uncertainty regarding their rights. This makes it somewhat difficult to ensure that injured maritime workers are given the maintenance and cure payments they deserve.
With regard to location, maritime law usually supersedes (or overrides) state law. This means that any worker that suffers an offshore injury will be covered by maritime law standards and will not be subject to state restrictions on compensation. There are, however, a few exceptions.
One exception to this rule is that the injury must have occurred on navigable waters. In addition, any injuries that took place on or near a dock or other fixed platform may be considered to have occurred on “land,” even if the platform was located on navigable waters. If an injury is determined to have happened on land or in non-navigable waters, the case will fall under the jurisdiction of the state.
Find Experienced Representation for Your Maritime Injury Case
If you’re uncertain whether your injury is covered by maritime law or if the body of water on which you were injured is considered “navigable,” you may want to speak with an experienced maritime attorney. Our maritime law practice has been representing offshore injury victims for over 100 years, and our professional attorneys have helped recover over $720 million in compensation.
To learn more or discuss your case for free, give us a call at (888) 297-4553.
