Knoxville Maritime Attorney
Accidents on the water are treated differently than those on land, and only a law firm experienced in maritime law is prepared to offer qualified legal advice. At Atkins Brezina, PLLC, we have developed expertise in various maritime laws, including the Jones Act, which cover accidents on the water. Maritime accidents can be tragic, with many lost lives and millions of dollars in property damage. There are also complicated insurance issues which our clients need to untangle. For more information about your legal rights, contact Atkins Brezina, PLLC, to speak with a Knoxville maritime attorney.
Our Maritime Accident Experience
Maritime law applies to all accidents on navigable waterways, which includes the ocean but also rivers, including the Tennessee River. There are many sources of law, including federal statutes, state common law, and general maritime law. With so many different legal sources, experience in this field is vital. Novice attorneys might feel overwhelmed when trying to analyze a dispute or provide incorrect information. The maritime industry has a specialized body of law—you should hire an attorney familiar with this fact.
Injured maritime workers have legal rights to compensation for medical bills and lost income, called maintenance and cure. Accidents are common. Sometimes, injured workers also have additional rights to compensation depending on the facts of the case. Accidents often injure harbor workers, cargo ship crewmembers, charter captains, fishermen, and others.
Maritime workers do not file claims under the Tennessee workers’ compensation system. Instead, they have rights under federal law to benefits. Atkins Brezina can determine the applicability of the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, and other laws to any accident which injures workers. Benefits are no-fault, as with workers’ comp.
Our law firm can assist clients after any of these maritime accidents:
- Capsized vessels
- Vessels running aground
- Collisions on the Tennessee River involving multiple vessels
- Drowning accidents
- Coworker negligence claims
- Malfunctioning equipment or machinery on a dock or ship
- Fires and explosions
- Dangerous work conditions
- Defective personal protection equipment
- Hazardous premises, including slip and falls
Shipping companies face many risks after an accident, including liability for personal injuries, wrongful death, and property damage. They might have disagreements with insurers over policy coverage. Atkins Brezina can provide full analysis of the legal issues after gathering relevant information. Our shipping clients benefit from a lawyer who has tackled previous maritime accident cases.
We can also help clients with legal services unrelated to maritime accidents. Our full-service business law practice can assist any company in the maritime industry with contracts, employment agreements, and environmental analysis, as well as insurance policy analysis and defense.
We Are the Law Firm You Can Trust
If you have an issue related to maritime law, please contact Atkins Brezina, PLLC, today. Our lawyers have served the transportation industry for over a decade, and we are eager to form new relationships with shipping companies and others. If you have a question, please contact our law firm today to speak with a Knoxville maritime attorney in a confidential setting.
