Injured working in maritime jobs across California? Contact a California maritime lawyer who knows federal admiralty law inside out.
California’s coastline spans over 800 miles, and its ports move more cargo than those of any other state. From the massive container terminals in Long Beach to the fishing fleets in San Diego, thousands of maritime workers keep this economy running, and when they get hurt on the job, they face a legal system unlike anything on land. Maritime injuries trigger federal laws that most attorneys have never studied. Your employer’s insurance company knows this, and they count on you not understanding the difference between a Jones Act claim and LHWCA benefits, or why missing a 30-day deadline could cost you everything.
The maritime injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor represents injured maritime workers across California, protecting their rights against companies that try to minimize their claims. Our office sits in the heart of the Port of Los Angeles complex, and we know these waters, both literally and legally. With over 50 years practicing exclusively in maritime law, we handle the federal paperwork, preserve the evidence, and make sure every applicable maritime law works in your favor.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover how a California maritime lawyer can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
How Our California Maritime Lawyers Can Help You
The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor has spent more than 50 years practicing exclusively in maritime law from our office at the center of the country’s busiest port complex. We represent injured seamen, longshore workers, shipyard workers, offshore workers, and cruise passengers throughout California, handling every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery.
When you are hurt on the job, we take immediate action to protect your rights:
- We investigate your accident immediately so critical evidence is not lost or destroyed
- We handle all communications with insurance companies and corporate representatives
- We identify every applicable federal maritime law that applies to your case
- We ensure all deadlines are met and all paperwork is filed correctly
- We pursue maximum compensation so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence
What Cases Does a California Maritime Lawyer Handle?
Maritime law covers injuries that happen on or near navigable waters. This includes accidents on vessels, docks, shipyards, offshore platforms, and cruise ships. If your injury happened in any of these environments, you likely have rights under federal maritime law that go far beyond standard workers’ compensation.
We handle cases involving:
- Jones Act seaman injuries and unseaworthiness claims
- Longshore, harbor, shipyard, and dock accidents
- Tug, barge, and commercial fishing injuries
- Crane, forklift, and equipment failures on the waterfront
- Offshore platform and oil rig injuries
- Cruise ship slip and falls, assaults, and shore excursion injuries
- Recreational boating and yacht accidents
- Catastrophic injuries and maritime wrongful death
What Laws Protect You After a Maritime Injury in California?
The law that applies to your case depends on your job and where you were injured. Choosing the wrong legal path can mean recovering far less than you deserve. Our attorneys identify every applicable law before any paperwork is filed.
| Law | Who It Covers | What You Can Recover |
| Jones Act | Seamen assigned to a vessel | Lost wages, medical care, and pain and suffering |
| Unseaworthiness | Seamen on unsafe vessels | Damages from the vessel owner |
| LHWCA | Longshore, harbor, and shipyard workers | No-fault medical and wage benefits |
| OCSLA | Fixed offshore platform workers | LHWCA benefits extended offshore |
| Section 905(b) | LHWCA workers hurt by a vessel | A negligence claim against the vessel |
| DOHSA | Families of workers killed beyond 3 miles | Wrongful death damages |
A key distinction worth understanding: the Jones Act (the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) gives injured seamen the right to sue their employer directly for negligence. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or LHWCA, is a no-fault federal benefit program that covers dock and shipyard workers. These are two separate systems, and your job title and work location determine which one protects you.
In one case we handled for a commercial fisherman based out of San Diego, the vessel’s hydraulic system failed during a net haul, sending a loaded boom across the deck and striking our client’s lower back. The vessel owner argued the system had passed its last inspection. We obtained maintenance logs showing a hydraulic leak had been reported by the crew two weeks earlier and marked as non-urgent without repair. That notation became the foundation of both the Jones Act negligence claim and the unseaworthiness claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Maritime Claim in California?
Maritime deadlines are shorter and stricter than standard personal injury claims. Missing one can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation.
- LHWCA: Report your injury to your employer within 30 days and file your formal claim within one year.
- Jones Act and Unseaworthiness: You generally have three years from the date of injury.
- Death on the High Seas Act: A claim must be filed within three years from the date of death.
- Cruise Ship Ticket Contracts: Most major cruise lines include a forum selection clause in their ticket contracts that requires passengers to sue in a specific city, often Miami. Your ticket may also specify that you must sue in Miami or Los Angeles, regardless of where the accident happened.
Call (310) 514-1200 today. The sooner we get involved, the better protected your rights are.
What to Do After a Maritime Injury in California
The actions you take in the days after an accident can directly affect the value of your claim. Here is what you need to do.
Step 1: Get Medical Care and Report Your Injury in Writing
See a doctor as soon as possible and make sure your injuries are documented. You must also notify your employer in writing right away. Under the LHWCA, you have only 30 days to give formal notice, or you risk losing your benefits entirely.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence and Witness Information
Photograph the hazard, the equipment involved, and your injuries while the scene is still fresh. Collect the names and contact information of any coworkers who saw what happened. We send evidence-preservation letters within 24 hours of being retained, so the company cannot quietly dispose of records, safety logs, or surveillance footage.
Step 3: Do Not Give Recorded Statements or Sign Releases
Insurance adjusters often reach out quickly after an accident, asking for a recorded statement or offering a small settlement in exchange for signing a release. You are not required to do either. These early offers are designed to protect the company, not you.
Step 4: Call a California Maritime Lawyer
Retaining legal representation early ensures your benefits are set up correctly from the start. We take over all contact with insurers and corporate representatives so you are not pressured into accepting less than your case is worth.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Maritime Case?
The compensation available to you depends on which laws apply and the severity of your injuries. We pursue every category of damages available so you are not left paying out of pocket for an injury that was not your fault.
LHWCA Benefits:
- All reasonable and necessary medical treatment
- Two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you cannot work
- Permanent disability compensation and vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Jones Act and Third-Party Lawsuits:
- Full past and future lost wages and benefits
- All related medical expenses
- Compensation for physical pain and mental anguish
- Punitive damages in cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct
Why Choose the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor?
Not every personal injury attorney is equipped to handle the complexity of a maritime claim. Federal maritime statutes, admiralty court procedures, and the tactics used by large shipping companies require a level of specialization that most law firms simply do not have.
- Maritime-Only Practice: Our firm has focused exclusively on maritime injury law since 1974. We are not a general practice firm that occasionally handles maritime cases.
- Nationally Recognized: Charles D. Naylor holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ethical and professional rating available, and has been repeatedly named a Southern California Super Lawyer.
- Teaching Authority: Mr. Naylor serves as an adjunct professor of Admiralty and Maritime Law at Chapman University School of Law and advises the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization on maritime certification standards.
- Proven Results: We have secured significant jury awards and settlements for clients in wrongful death, LHWCA amputation, and cruise passenger emergency medical evacuation cases.
One issue we see consistently in California maritime cases, particularly for workers at smaller ports north of Long Beach, is workers filing under California workers’ compensation when they should be filing under the LHWCA or the Jones Act. The difference in available compensation is substantial. LHWCA provides no-fault benefits with stronger wage replacement, and Jones Act claims include pain and suffering damages that California workers’ compensation does not cover. Identifying the right legal framework at the outset is one of the most valuable things an experienced maritime attorney can do.
We represent clients in state and federal courts throughout California, including cases tied to the Port of San Diego and the Port of Los Angeles to the Port of Long Beach and the Port of San Francisco. When a cruise ticket contract requires filing in another state, we coordinate with trusted co-counsel so the venue clause does not prevent you from pursuing your claim.
FAQs: California Maritime Lawyer
Do I Qualify as a Jones Act Seaman if I Work on a Vessel Part of the Time?
You generally qualify as a Jones Act seaman if you spend at least 30 percent of your working time aboard a vessel or a fleet of vessels in navigation. Our attorneys can review your work history and job duties to quickly determine your status.
Can I Collect LHWCA Benefits and Still Sue a Negligent Third Party?
Yes. You can receive no-fault LHWCA benefits from your employer and simultaneously file a separate negligence lawsuit against a vessel owner or contractor under Section 905(b) of the LHWCA. These are two distinct legal remedies, and you are not required to choose between them.
What if My Cruise Ticket Requires Me to File a Lawsuit in Another State?
Most major cruise lines include a forum selection clause in the ticket contract that forces passengers to sue in a specific city, often Miami. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor handles California cases directly and partners with licensed co-counsel in other states to ensure the venue clause does not cost you your claim.
Do Foreign Nationals Have Rights Under U.S. Maritime Law?
Yes. Foreign passengers and workers injured on vessels with significant ties to the United States generally have the same legal rights as U.S. citizens. The same shortened deadlines apply, so it is important to act quickly regardless of your citizenship.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor?
Your initial consultation is always free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. We advance all case costs and walk you through our contingency fee agreement in plain language before you sign anything.
Contact The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor
A large medical bill, weeks without a paycheck, and an insurance company that stops returning your calls is a serious situation. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor is here to take that fight off your plate.
Our office is located at 111 W. Ocean Blvd, Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90802. Call us at (310) 514-1200 or reach us toll-free at 888-440-5829. You pay nothing unless we win.
