Louisiana Maritime Law Blog

With the arrival of oyster season in the Gulf of Mexico, commercial fishermen remain on the look-out for oyster beds, dredging for these tasty morsels on the bottom of the ocean. The Louisiana oyster season, which typically takes place from September through April, has seen better times, and let us not forget the everyday workplace dangers confronted by fishermen.

In the past decade, oyster fishermen have faced one of its biggest challenges: the dwindling oyster numbers due to the BP oil spill from 2010. The spill caused irreparable harm to the Gulf region, and the oyster industry was especially hit hard. The largest marine oil spill in history occurred 40 miles from the Louisiana coast. For decades, our state was home to some of the world’s most abundant oyster beds, accounting for one-third of the country’s annual oyster harvest. However, the severe losses likely guarantee that Louisiana will drop from the top spot.

Many maritime professions involve strenuous labor. Shipyard work isn't very different in that aspect of things. There are specific hazards that these workers have to contend with that are unique to this profession.

Shipyard workers regularly work around heavy machinery that requires skill to operate. It's not uncommon for employees in this industry to get hurt because of a lack of training in using this equipment.

Some jobs, like that of a fisherman, are one of the more dangerous ones that you can have. They often work far off the shore in some of the most treacherous waters. Bad weather, a collision with another vessel and other factors can quickly turn an already dangerous situation into an even more precarious one. One danger that fishers, cruise ships and other maritime workers have to remain vigilant for is their vessels taking on water. A boat or ship can sink quite fast if this happens.

Statistics compiled by Boat U.S. captures what the most common causes of boat sinkings are. Their data shows that the leading cause of boat sinkings is wear, tear and corrosion. This factor accounts for at least 34% of these incidents.

You work on a vessel that often goes between international and domestic ports. You've been doing this job for several years, and you love it. Unfortunately, on your last voyage, you ended up slipping and falling. You have a head injury, and you cannot continue.

The doctrine of maintenance and cure is one doctrine that will help you now in this time of need. This legal concept allows you the right to free medical care from the shipowner until maximum medical cure. It also provides compensation for room and board that would have been provided on the vessel.