The Firm’s Maritime Section is overseen and managed by David M. Flotte and includes the handling of nearly every type of admiralty litigation and contract.
The Firm’s attorneys have vast experience with litigated matters that include bodily injury claims involving Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, limitation of liability, seaman status, maintenance and cure, unseaworthiness, third party maritime tort, passenger claims, investigation and defense of vessel collisions and toxic releases arising from vessel and shipyard operations, and Defense Base Act claims. The Firm’s marine property damage experience includes hull and cargo, docks, bridges, wharfs, loss of use and earnings.. From an environmental standpoint the Firm has handled pollution claims arising out of maritime activities including clean up and pursuit of third party liability under OPA 90 and defense of all charges (civil and criminal) under the Clean Water Act.
The Firm regularly prepares and analyzes maritime contracts, as well as litigating the terms of such contracts, including all types of charter agreements, master service agreements, affreightment contracts and cargo claims. Based upon their years of experience, the Firm’s attorneys have developed a unique understanding of the terms and conditions that are unique to marine insurance policies and routinely represent both carriers and policy holders in claims that involve a wide range of coverages, including Hull and Machinery, Protection and Indemnity, Marine Employer Liability, Sue and Labor, Wreck Removal and General Liability.
The Firm routinely protects its client’s rights through pursuing vessel arrests or seeking the release of vessels that have been wrongfully arrested, including obtaining Warrants of Attachment that arise from collision, towage liens, ship mortgages, other tort and liens, salvage liens, and vessel sales.
The Firm’s maritime practice regularly takes its attorneys into the State Courts, Federal Courts and Administrative Tribunals in Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.
