Understanding Maritime Injury Claims
Jones Act, LHWCA, and seaman rights explained
2026 Maritime Injury Statistics
4,500+
Annual Injuries
8,000+
Cases/Year
$1,200,000
Avg Settlement
12,000
USCG Reports
Injury Types & Avg Settlements
| Injury Type | Avg Settlement |
|---|---|
Ship/Vessel Collision Collisions at sea, groundings | $1,500,000 |
Slip & Fall on Deck Wet deck, unsecured cargo | $500,000 |
Crane/Lifting Injuries Loading/unloading accidents | $1,200,000 |
Drowning/Man Overboard Overboard incidents, rescue failure | $2,500,000 |
Unseaworthiness Defective vessel conditions | $800,000 |
Maintenance & Cure Denial Denied medical/wages during recovery | $400,000 |
Wrongful Death at Sea Fatal maritime accidents | $3,500,000 |
Worker Classifications
- • Jones Act Seaman: 30%+ work on vessel in navigation
- • Longshore Worker (LHWCA): Harbor, dock, terminal workers
- • Harbor Worker: Shipbuilders, ship repair workers
- • Cruise Ship Worker: Cruise line crew members
- • Commercial Fisherman: Commercial fishing vessel crew
Vessel Types
- • Cargo Ships: Container, bulk carriers
- • Tankers: Oil, chemical, LNG
- • Tugboats: Harbor tugs, ocean tugs
- • Cruise Ships: Passenger vessels
- • Fishing Vessels: Commercial fishing boats
- • Barges: Deck barges, tank barges
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Based on 46 U.S.C. §30104 (Jones Act), General Maritime Law (Unseaworthiness), and USCG Marine Casualty benchmarks.