Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC

09/24/2026

⚠️ Not all scars from an offshore accident are visible.

There is a common misconception in the maritime industry that you can only receive compensation for physical injuries like broken bones or back surgeries. Insurance companies rely on this misconception—and the stigma around mental health—to avoid paying workers what they are truly owed.

The reality? Surviving a catastrophic blowout, a vessel collision, or a terrifying fall takes an immense psychological toll. Conditions like severe PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety are incredibly common and can permanently end a mariner's career on the water.

Under maritime law, these psychological injuries are very real, and you have the absolute right to seek compensation for them.

Don't let an insurance adjuster tell you your trauma doesn't count. We fight to ensure the unseen toll of your accident is taken just as seriously as your physical injuries. Read our guide to understand how the law protects your mental health after an accident:

https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/understanding-the-psychological-effects-of-maritime-accidents/

Maritime accidents cause more than physical injuries — PTSD, depression, and anxiety are compensable under the Jones Act. LKSA helps workers pursue full psychological damage recovery.

09/15/2026

Transferring via a personnel basket over the Gulf is a routine but highly complex operation. When a transfer goes wrong and an injury occurs, who is legally responsible?

The answer might surprise you.

Because a transfer requires perfect coordination between the supply vessel, the offshore platform, and the crane operator, an injury often means you have valid legal claims against multiple different companies at the same time.

However, when money is on the line, the blame game starts instantly. The vessel blames the crane operator, the platform blames the weather, and everyone tries to avoid liability.

Don't let corporations pass the blame and limit your compensation. We’ve put together a clear legal guide explaining exactly how maritime law assigns liability in these complex cases, and why you might have claims against three or more companies.

Read the full breakdown here: https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/how-do-offshore-basket-transfer-accidents-occur/

09/03/2026

If an injury happens offshore, the laws that apply depend heavily on exactly how the accident occurred.

Different types of accidents fall under different legal frameworks. For instance, an injury caused by heavy machinery failure might involve a claim against the equipment manufacturer, whereas an injury related to toxic exposure often involves OSHA regulations and employer negligence.

Did you know that one accident can often involve claims against multiple different companies at the same time?

We’ve put together an educational guide to explain how maritime law views common workplace hazards. Swipe through the graphics to learn more, and click the link below to read our complete breakdown so you don't miss a legal claim you didn't know you had.

https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/common-types-of-maritime-accidents/

08/27/2026

Join us in congratulating 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗠. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗰𝗼𝘄, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗱 "𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲" 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗜𝗜𝗜, and 𝗜𝗮𝗻 𝗙. 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 on being named to the 2027 edition of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮! 🏆

Our attorneys were recognized by their legal peers for their work in Admiralty and Maritime Law, as well as Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions. Because Best Lawyers honors are based strictly on peer evaluations, this recognition highlights their strong reputation and relentless dedication to our clients.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement with our team! 👏

LKSA represents victims of injuries including offshore/maritime accidents, medical malpractice, helicopter crashes, nursing home abuse, and defective products. Our New Orleans attorneys have lead major maritime disasters. Free consult.

08/24/2026

Just because you work on the water doesn't automatically mean the law considers you a "seaman." ⚠️

Determining your legal "seaman status" is one of the most critical—and heavily debated—issues after an offshore injury. It dictates exactly what rights and compensation you are entitled to.

Attorney Ian Taylor explains the complex legal test courts use, from your connection to the vessel to the specific nature of your daily work.

Don't let your employer or their insurance company make this decision for you. Get an experienced maritime lawyer on your side to protect your future. ⚖️

08/24/2026

Before we start our short course season, we want to send a final thank you to one of our sponsors Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC

08/21/2026

⚠️ If you are hurt working offshore, proving you were on a "vessel" is the key to unlocking your rights under the Jones Act. But the legal definition might surprise you! 🚢

It sounds like a simple question, but is a floating work platform legally considered a vessel? What about a ship tied permanently to a dock, or a riverboat casino?

Insurance companies and employers will aggressively argue that your workplace wasn't a vessel. Why? Because if they can prove it wasn't a vessel, they can deny you Jones Act protections and severely limit the compensation they have to pay you and your family.

Don't let an insurance company use legal loopholes against you. Learn how the courts actually decide what counts as a vessel and how our experienced trial lawyers fight back to protect your rights.

Read our new guide here: https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/defining-a-vessel-under-jones-act-law/

08/10/2026

⚠️ Did you know that just because you work on the water, the law doesn't automatically consider you a "seaman"?

Your legal title matters. If you get hurt offshore, qualifying as a "Jones Act Seaman" unlocks powerful legal rights that can drastically change the compensation you and your family receive. But to qualify, you generally must spend at least 30% of your time working on a vessel in navigation.

Many corporate employers know this rule. To protect their own profits, they will often try to classify you differently, change your job title, or shuffle your vessel assignments to keep you under that 30% mark so they only have to pay you basic workers' compensation.

Don't let an employer or insurance company define your rights. We've published a clear, detailed guide explaining exactly what it takes to qualify as a seaman and how our experienced maritime lawyers fight back against these corporate tactics.

Read the guide and know your rights before you need them: https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/jones-act-seamen-rights-after-being-injured-at-work/

Injured on a vessel? Jones Act seamen have the right to sue for negligence, choose their own doctor, and receive maintenance and cure. LKSA explains your rights. Free review.

08/06/2026

🌊 We are grateful for the opportunity to assist our client in resolving a case involving a vessel collision with a hunting camp on the Mississippi River. This case, heard in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, was settled during trial for $700,000.

💡 Read more about this and other case results by visiting the link: https://www.lksalaw.com/vessel-collision-with-hunting-camp-on-mississppi-river-property-damage/

08/04/2026

When a vessel is unseaworthy and a seaman gets hurt, who is legally responsible?

The answer is the vessel owner. Maritime law places a non-delegable duty on the owner to ensure the ship is safe for everyone working on board. This is a critical protection that holds the right entity accountable for unsafe conditions at sea.