Injured On The Water Or At The Port Near Delaware County?
Work and recreation on the water are a big part of life along the Delaware River and nearby ports. Tugboats, barges, cargo ships, ferries, tour boats, and private vessels move people and goods every day. When something goes wrong in that setting, the injuries can be severe and the laws are far more complex than in a typical land based accident.
If you or a family member was hurt while working on a vessel, loading or unloading ships, or riding as a passenger, you may have rights under federal maritime law as well as Pennsylvania injury law. The maritime accident lawyers at Schuster Law in Media, PA represent injured seamen, harbor and dock workers, and families in Jones Act, port injury, and wrongful death claims tied to maritime accidents.
Who May Have A Maritime Accident Claim?
Many different people can be covered by maritime and related laws, depending on where and how the accident happened. Crew members and other seamen who spend a large part of their working lives on navigable waters may be protected by the federal Jones Act, which allows injured seamen to sue their employers when negligence plays a role in an injury.
Workers on docks, in ports, or at shipyards may have claims under other federal laws or through third party lawsuits when unsafe equipment, careless contractors, or negligent ship owners contribute to an accident. Families who lose a loved one at sea or on navigable waters may also have maritime wrongful death rights in addition to state claims, depending on the location and details of the incident.
Passengers on commercial boats, ferries, or tour vessels generally rely on traditional negligence and premises liability rules, but maritime principles still shape how those cases are investigated and litigated. An experienced maritime accident lawyer can look at your exact role, work history, and accident location to sort out which laws apply and how to pursue the strongest claim.
Key Steps To Take After A Maritime Accident
Evidence on the water can change or vanish in a matter of hours. Waves wash away marks, crews move equipment, and logs or reports can be “updated” in ways that make later claims harder to prove. The Schuster Law maritime page stresses the importance of acting quickly to protect your claim.
Here are smart steps to take as soon as you can:
Take photos of the scene, vessel, dock, equipment, and any visible hazards
Take photos of your injuries and any damaged gear or clothing
Collect names and contact information for witnesses and crew members
Keep copies of all medical records, incident reports, and insurance paperwork
Contact a maritime accident lawyer before giving detailed statements to company or insurance representatives
These simple actions can preserve crucial details about how the accident happened and who may be responsible.
Jones Act, Third Party Claims & Wrongful Death
Maritime accidents often involve more than one possible claim. Seamen injured in the course of their work may have rights under the Jones Act, which allows them to sue their maritime employers for negligence and seek damages beyond basic “maintenance and cure.” Dock and harbor workers may have workers’ compensation style benefits, but they can also pursue separate third party claims against ship owners, equipment manufacturers, or other companies whose carelessness caused the injury.
When a maritime accident leads to death, surviving family members may have wrongful death and survival claims under both maritime and state law, depending on whether the death occurred on inland waters, coastal waters, or the high seas. These claims can cover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the loss of the care and guidance that person provided. A Delaware County maritime accident lawyer can coordinate these overlapping laws and claims so your family is not forced to choose the wrong path or leave money on the table.
Why Quick Evidence Collection Matters In Maritime Cases
The Schuster Law maritime accidents page points out that “evidence can literally disappear overnight.” On a vessel or at a port, that is often true in a very literal way. Crews clean decks, replace equipment, and rewrite logs. Damaged parts may be removed or repaired without photos. Witnesses may move on to other jobs or vessels in a matter of days.
Keeping your own set of photos, notes, and documents helps balance that risk. Save any written statements you make, copies of safety reports, and all medical paperwork related to the incident. When you meet with a maritime accident lawyer, bring anything that shows your job duties, pay history, and time away from work, such as pay stubs and schedules. That information helps your legal team prove both fault and the full amount of your losses.
Questions To Ask A Maritime Accident Lawyer
Maritime and port injury claims involve a mix of federal maritime law, state negligence rules, and sometimes workers’ compensation concepts. You want a law firm that knows how those pieces fit together. Schuster Law encourages injured workers and families to ask direct questions in a free consultation, including:
How long have you been practicing law and handling maritime or port related injury cases?
What kinds of ship, boat, or dock accident claims have you resolved in the past?
Who will actually work on my case and keep me updated on progress?
How do your fees work, and will I owe anything if you don’t recover money?
Can you explain, in plain language, what laws apply to my situation?
A strong maritime accident firm will welcome these questions, share examples of past results when possible, and explain how they plan to move your case forward.
