Working in the Maine maritime industry is dangerous, where workers contend with rough winter waters, cold weather, and the usual hazards. If you are injured on the job, let a Maine maritime lawyer help you determine your next move. You should be able to get money to cover doctors’ bills and make up for your lost income, but doing so isn’t always easy without a lawyer’s expertise.
Who Can Benefit from a Maine Maritime Lawyer?
Anyone involved in a maritime accident in the state could benefit from working with a Maine maritime lawyer. Maritime lawyers specialize in maritime law. They often represent maritime workers who were injured on the job.
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
Maritime workers have the right to seek compensation after workplace injuries, but it can be difficult to navigate the system. Lawyers with special expertise give them the best chance of getting compensation. Maritime lawyers also work with passengers and others affected by maritime accidents.
Maine’s Maritime Industry
Maine is probably best known for its rugged coastline, which has several ports. The main ports in the state are those in Portland, Searsport, and Eastport, but there are also several minor ports dotting the coastline. There are a few inland in places like Bucksport and Bangor.
The Maine Port Authority runs the major cargo and container ports here, but other critical maritime industries operate in the ports, such as commercial fishing, ferries, and cruises.
The Ports of Maine
The Maine Port Authority manages the state’s three largest ports: Portland, Eastport, and Searsport. Maine’s coast is rugged, and the weather can be brutal in the winter, but the Port of Portland is well protected from the worst of rough waters and weather and remains ice-free all year.
In addition to shipping and cargo, the Port of Portland supports recreational boats, fishing boats, ferries, and cruise lines. It is New England’s largest port and the second-largest oil port on the East Coast.
Eastport Port Authority
The Eastport Port Authority is right on the international border with Quebec. It is a small but essential port with two tugboats, two terminals with berthing space for ships up to 900 feet long, and a U.S. Customs office.
This northern port is home to recreational boats, commercial fishing boats, and aquaculture facilities. Major exports from Eastport include wood pulp and dairy cows.
Port of Searsport
At the head of Penobscot Bay is the Port of Searsport, the second-largest deep-water port in the state. The port handles all kinds of cargo and includes specialized piers for dry and wet cargo.
Crude oil is a vital cargo here, and this is also the location of the start of a major oil pipeline. With cargo shipping, Searsport has space for recreational and commercial fishing vessels.
Port of Portland
Portland has nine terminals that handle various types of cargo. Some of the most common cargo accepted here include containers, bulk and break bulk, project, and petroleum. Portland has one large international terminal.
Maine’s Maritime Accidents
Maine’s ports may not be the biggest or busiest in the country, but they are still dangerous workplaces. The waters off the coast are also dangerous here, and both longshoremen and seamen in the area face many hazards on the job.
Maine also has a long history of maritime activity. Many accidents have occurred over the years. Some occur in the ports, while others occur out at sea. Commercial fishing, an important industry, is the most hazardous of all maritime sectors.
Commercial Fishing Accidents
One example of such dangers occurred in February of 2012 when a fishing vessel sank off the coast of Maine. Only two crew members were on the vessel at the time, and they were both working on draining water from fish tanks when the accident happened.
A pipe broke, and the boat began to flood. The captain and deckhand could not control the flooding, and the boat went down ten nautical miles off the coast. Luckily, both people were rescued and uninjured in the incident, but it could have been much worse and had a tragic ending.
Collisions
Another common source of accidents in any port area is collisions. When ships come in and out of ports, they can get crowded and difficult to navigate. One tiny error can lead to a crash, a vessel running aground, or even capsizing.
In 2013, an oil tanker crashed into the Mildred Long Bridge, which connected Maine and New Hampshire. Investigations found that a crucial component in the ship had not been replaced and could be blamed for the accident.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident, and no oil was spilled, but the damage to the bridge cost millions of dollars to repair.
Legal Resources for Maine Maritime Workers
Accidents like these always have the potential to be more tragic and cause injuries and even deaths. You face these daily hazards if you work in the maritime industry here in Maine.
Fortunately, there are laws to ensure you get adequate compensation if you are hurt on the job or money for your family if you are killed. Federal laws like the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act are there to protect seamen working on ships and the people working in ports if employers refuse to pay up after an accident.
If you are ever injured in your maritime work, it is essential to rely on a seasoned professional who knows these laws inside and out.
Maine maritime lawyers are ready and available to help guide you through the often-complicated and time-sensitive processes of filing claims, avoiding missing deadlines, starting lawsuits, arbitrations, and even going to trial. Let these experts help you so you can get everything you deserve after a life-changing accident.