For those workers who are injured in the state while doing a maritime job, Hawaii maritime lawyers are available to help take legal action. Longshore work and the jobs of seamen are dangerous, and injuries are all too common. Maritime laws ensure injured workers have a way to seek compensation for related expenses.
What Do Hawaii Maritime Lawyers Do?
Hawaii maritime lawyers help local people navigate maritime law. They are experts in maritime law and in the maritime industry in Hawaii. Many of their clients are maritime workers injured on the job. They help workers and their families seek compensation for medical and other expenses.
Get Matched with a Leading Maritime Attorney in Your Area
- Find the leading maritime lawyers in your area
- Discover how to get compensation as fast as possible
- Learn your legal rights as an injured maritime worker
Hawaii’s Ports
There are many ports in Hawaii. The largest is in Honolulu Harbor and is called Port Hawai’i. Situated on the most populous island of Oahu, Honolulu Harbor is crucial to Hawaiians. Being on remote islands means residents rely on shipping for many daily goods.
Honolulu is the hub for cargo coming in and exports going out and is a significant part of the state’s overall economy. The Harbor is a natural one but is also maintained to be adequate for shipping.
Major commodities handled here include petroleum products, lumber, and break bulk. In addition to containers and cargo, the Harbor includes space for commercial fishing vessels, passenger ships, cruise ships, and research vessels.
The second busiest port in Hawaii is also its newest. Construction on Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor was finished in 1990, just 19 nautical miles from Hsignificantlu Harbor. In addition to handling cargo and containers, this port has facilities for shipbuilding and repairs.
Also close to Honolulu is Kewalo Basin, a man-made harbor constructed to relieve congestion at the busy Honolulu Harbor. It provides space for passenger, recreational, fishing, and research vessels.
Maritime Accidents in Hawaii
As with any maritime location, Hawaii has seen its share of accidents on ships, in the water, and in ports and harbors. The maritime industry is a dangerous one. In ports, space is limited and full of moving workers, equipment, trucks, and cargo-loading cranes.
Already a natural environment for hazards, ports are often vulnerable to accidents caused by poor judgment, lack of training, and miscommunication.
Just one small error in a port, on a ship, or in the crowded waters of a harbor can lead to a serious accident that causes monetary damage, injuries, and even fatalities.
In a crowded and busy port like Honolulu Harbor, accidents can happen when workers make the wrong decisions or don’t communicate properly. Common accidents include:
- Falling or collapsing cranes
- Dropped cargo
- Truck and forklift accidents
- Falling into the water from docks or walkways
- Toxic cargo chemical exposure
- Fires
While many accidents, fortunately, cause no injuries, many can be devastating. Workers face broken bones, cuts and scrapes, head injuries, lost limbs, illness from chemical exposure, burns, and even death in the face of workplace maritime accidents.
Towboat Sinking
One example of an accident in Hawaii that could have been prevented was the sinking of a tow boat in 2015. The vessel, called Nalani, took on water and sank during trials near Oahu. All eleven people on the boat could be rescued, and no one was lost or injured.
The captain’s error of judgment was found to be the cause. He made a poor choice to get the boat underway before integrity could be established. The boat sank in 2,200 feet of water and could not be recovered. It was a total loss.
Fishing Boat Explosion
A diesel fuel tank exploded on a commercial fishing boat in Honolulu in 2024. One crew member suffered critical injuries. Two others had severe injuries.
Investigations determined that the boat’s owner did not follow state laws requiring inspections and permits for hot work. When the explosion occurred, A crew member was welding on a vent pipe from an uninspected and uncertified fuel tank.
Cruise Terminal Fatality
A tragic accident occurred in Honolulu’s cruise ship terminal in 2024. A bus driving cruise passengers to the terminal hit a group of pedestrians, injuring several and killing one.
Legal Rights for Maritime Workers
You have an exciting and lucrative job if you live in Hawaii and work in the maritime industry. You get to work in this beautiful state’s warm and sunny climate and enjoy working near the ocean.
On the other hand, you work in a job full of hazards. Any little mistake on the job, from you or anyone else, could lead to a debilitating injury or death. Coming back from an injury can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.
Fortunately, there are resources and legal rights for injured maritime workers. Federal maritime law gives you an avenue for claiming the compensation you need to get back on your feet and back on the job.
A Hawaii maritime lawyer is your best resource if you are injured on the job. Lawyers specializing in maritime law have the experience and knowledge to help you decide which laws apply to you and how to file a claim.
They can represent you if you have to face off against your employer during arbitration or a court trial. A maritime lawyer can be your best secret weapon in getting the money you need and deserve after a workplace accident.