Virginia

Were You Injured in a Maritime Accident? Call a Virginia Jones Act Lawyer for Help

Virginia, the first state to welcome foreign ships to its shores, is today home to one of the busiest seaports – the Port of Norfolk in Hampton Roads – in the United States. All together, Virginia’s Tidewater region hosts six ports, while the James, York and Potomac Rivers provide container ships and other commercial vessels with access to various inland ports via the Chesapeake Bay.

Seamen and other maritime workers at these ports and onboard container ships, cargo ships, barges and other commercial vessels face many health and safety risks on a daily basis. These risks commonly lead to dangerous accidents, including:

  • Crane and lifting accidents
  • Anchor, winch and cabling accidents
  • Deck tool and machinery accidents
  • Drowning and near-drowning accidents
  • Electrical shocks
  • Fires and explosions
  • Mooring accidents
  • Slips and falls
  • Toxic chemical exposure

The Jones Act and other laws provide special protections for maritime and offshore workers. If you suffered injuries in an accident offshore Virginia or on a river, bay or port in Virginia, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At the Willis Law Firm, we help injured workers and their families seek just compensation for river, barge and other maritime accidents.

The Port of Norfolk, Virginia’s Busiest Seaport

Located in Hampton Roads, the Port of Norfolk (also known as Norfolk International Terminals) ranks sixth in the nation in terms of annual cargo volume. It is the largest port managed by the Port of Virginia, with thousands of trucks transporting tons of imported cargo and containers for export on a daily basis.

Other Ports in Virginia

Other ports in Virginia include:

  • Port of Alexandria
  • Port Cape Charles
  • Port of Chesapeake
  • Port of Hopewell
  • Newport News Marine Terminal
  • Port of Piney Point
  • Portsmouth Marine Terminal
  • Richmond Marine Terminal (formerly known as the Port of Richmond)
  • Port of Yorktown
  • Virginia Inland Port
  • Virginia International Gateway

In addition, the Port of Virginia is currently planning a new facility at Craney Island, which will be capable of handling increased container volume and larger vessels in international trade.

Your Rights After a Maritime Injury

Working on a ship or vessel is a dangerous job. Offshore workers and seamen face extreme conditions and hazards that can lead to serious injuries and accidents. Under the Jones Act when a seaman is injured in the course of employment, the seaman has the right to receive maintenance and cure payments from his or her employer. The primary purpose of the maintenance and cure payments are to provide the injured seaman with the medical care and day-to-day support needed to live on land until the seaman can return to work or has reached “maximum medical cure” (as defined below).

What if my Employer Refuses to Pay Maintenance and Cure?

Even though maintenance and cure are ancient remedies which are owed to injured seamen under the law, employers often refuse to make these payments or take actions to delay the weekly maintenance checks the injured seaman desperately needs to live and help support his or her family. Some employers also use tactics to avoid paying medical expenses (cure), including refusing to send injured workers to qualified medical specialists who can provide the care and treatment the worker needs to properly recover from his or her injuries.

If you are a seaman who has been injured while working on a ship or vessel, you have the legal right to receive maintenance and cure benefits. If your employer has refused to make maintenance payments to you, is delaying your weekly checks, or is challenging your medical expenses or your right to go to your own doctor, you need to speak with a lawyer experienced in handling maintenance and cure benefits immediately. The Willis Law Firm has an in-depth understanding of the laws governing these payments and legal duties and we represent injured seamen nationwide. Contact our firm today for a free confidential consultation at 1-800-468-4878.

Talk to Virginia Maritime Attorney David Willis About Your Accident

If you would like more information about seeking compensation for maritime injuries in Virginia, we invite you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation about your case. Maritime attorney David Willis is licensed in New York and Texas, and represents injured workers throughout Virginia and nationwide. To schedule your free consultation, call 1-800-GOT HURT or contact us online today.

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Willis Law Firm, Offshore & Maritime Lawyer
Nationwide Help - Licensed in Texas and New York
Principal Office
5005 Riverway Drive
Suite #160

Houston, Texas 77056

713-654-4040
1-800-468-4878
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1717 Turning Basin Dr.
Suite #232

Houston, Texas 77029

713-930-1717
1-800-447-8400
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