Maritime Law and the Gulf Coast

Americans treasure the Gulf Coast for its rich natural resources and breathtaking beauty. Stretching across the southeastern region of the United States, the Gulf Coast is made up of states that share a border with the Gulf of Mexico, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Our Lafayette maritime lawyers are proud to have made our homes here.

In the last sixty years, the Gulf of Mexico has become a rich source of petroleum. With thousands of oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast is now the heart of the oil industry in America. The Gulf Coast also holds two of the world's busiest ports in Houston and New Orleans. This vibrant industry presents unique considerations under maritime law.

Broussard, David & Moroux is a Louisiana law firm that specializes in maritime law. Based in the Lafayette area, our maritime attorneys have years of experience protecting the rights of maritime workers across the Gulf Coast and understand the unique legal issues that arise in the Gulf of Mexico.

After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Americans saw just how dangerous maritime work in the Gulf of Mexico can be. Today in the Gulf, two-thirds of all oil production result from similar deep water drilling. Unfortunately, deeper drilling also involves inherent dangers and risks for workers. Offshore workers in deep sea drilling are more likely to be involved in accidents, including falls, spills, explosions and fires that are caused by equipment failure or a lack of adequate employer supervision.

In addition to these dangerous working conditions, offshore workers and their employers are under constant pressure to increase production in the Gulf. With this pressure, employers are more inclined to cut corners when it comes to safety or to drill deeper at their employees' expense. After suffering an injury offshore, an injured worker should resort to maritime law for legal recourse.

Maritime law and the Jones Act are often available to Gulf Coast workers who suffer an injury in the Gulf of Mexico. At Broussard, David & Moroux, our Lafayette maritime attorneys have represented workers who have suffered injuries in accidents on oil platforms, jack up rigs, semisubmersible rigs and drillships. Depending on the facts surrounding your employment and injury, you may be entitled to maintenance and cure payments and compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering. For questions, contact a maritime lawyer in Lafayette at Broussard, David & Moroux at 888-337-2323 (toll-free) or 337-233-2324.