Specialized Legal Help for Maritime Accidents in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a booming maritime industry including everything from international import and export to cruise liners and whale watching tours. This along with hundreds of miles of beautiful coastlines and marine life-rich waters makes California a hot destination for residents and visitors who enjoy water recreation. When the good times come to an abrupt halt because of an accident, you need specialized legal help. Being injured while working in the L.A. maritime industry or as a passenger on a vessel like a cruise liner or yacht can entitle you to compensation. Recovering that compensation can require you to navigate the complex legal environment of maritime law.

The Brais Law Firm is the Complete Package When It Comes to Knowledge of Maritime Matters

Founding attorney Keith Brais graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with degree in marine engineering before working on offshore oil rigs for nearly a decade.  After suffering a major injury on the job that effectively ended his career, his determination to understand the maritime laws that apply to workers compensation to individuals such as himself led him to law school. Keith became a board-certified expert in admiralty and maritime law and spent nearly two decades defending cruise ships and maritime insurers against people seeking injury claims. After winning one particular case against an individual that he felt did in fact deserve compensation. At that moment, he shifted gears and chose to only represent individuals who were hurt in maritime accident and get them the compensation they rightly deserve.  Now with an equally dedicated team behind him with a combined total of 70 years trial experience, we win for our clients because we believe in them and know exactly how to get results.

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Michelle Y. Gurian, maritime injury lawyer

Make Sure Your Legal Rights are Protected by Getting the Legal Help You Deserve

A maritime attorney at Brais Law assist clients by handling everything from gathering evidence to drafting and timely filing a claim or lawsuit and negotiating the best possible outcome given the unique facts of your situation. We offer personalized legal help and highly knowledgeable, tenacious representation when it comes to protecting our client.  No matter how complex your case, an injury lawyer with us knows how to get results.

Injured Maritime Workers Must Often Rely on Federal Law

If you have been injured while working in the maritime industry, you will generally be protected under federal law, particularly the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or LHWCA. The LHWCA is a federal law that applies to on-the-job injuries that happen:

  • On the navigable waters of the US
  • In adjoining areas, such as those customarily used for the unloading, loading, repairing, and building of vessels

What Compensation are Maritime Employees Entitled to?

The compensation guaranteed to injured maritime workers under the LHWCA includes the following:

  • Compensation to replace lost income
  • Medical care
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
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Cruise Ship and Other Vessel Passenger Claims Require a Different Approach

If you have been injured on a vessel as a passenger, the way in which you will pursue compensation for your injuries is entirely different and best completed with the assistance of a maritime attorney. Local laws may apply to your case, as well as maritime laws that are international in nature. When you are a passenger, your ability to file and even negotiate a claim in court may also be limited by the ticket contract to which you agreed. An experienced injury attorney will review the facts to determine what the options and deadlines are in relation to your case. 

FAQs: Maritime Law and Injury Cases in Los Angeles Ports and Waters

Can I Still Work with a Maritime Lawyer in Los Angeles if I Was a Cruise Passenger Traveling Abroad When I Was Injured?

I Loved One in a Maritime Work Accident—What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?

What are My Options if I Was Hurt in a Boating Accident because the Operator was Intoxicated?

Can I Still Work with a Maritime Lawyer in Los Angeles if I Was a Cruise Passenger Traveling Abroad When I Was Injured?

To recover compensation for your injuries while a passenger in international waters on a cruise line headquartered in Los Angeles or that departed from the Port of Los Angeles, you’ll generally need to file in Federal Court.

I Loved One in a Maritime Work Accident—What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?

An injury attorney with us at Brais Law has helped individuals and families in wrongful death cases involving a maritime worker. We understand how devastating losing a loved one is so we use our knowledge of the Jones Act and other maritime law applicable to crewman, dockworkers, longshoreman, oilrig workers and others to get compensation.

What are My Options if I Was Hurt in a Boating Accident because the Operator was Intoxicated?

Operating a boat or other vessel or watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in California and the individual can be facing serious criminal charges. If he or she caused injuries then that operator is also liable for all damages caused. A lawyer with us can help you obtain compensation in civil court.

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