Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC

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/

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.

07/31/2026

Filing a maritime accident lawsuit? Understanding the timeline can help you plan for the road ahead. While some cases settle quickly, others may take time due to legal complexities. Knowing what to expect is key. ⚖️

⏳ In this article, you’ll learn:
✔️ How long maritime accident lawsuits typically last
✔️ Key factors that affect case duration
✔️ Why working with an experienced lawyer matters

Time is critical when seeking justice—learn what to expect here: https://www.lksalaw.com/how-long-do-maritime-accident-lawsuits-take/

07/17/2026

⚠️ If you or a loved one are injured by failing equipment offshore, you need to know about the "Hidden Claim."

Many injured workers assume their only option is to file a claim against their employer. But what if that safety harness tore because of a manufacturing defect? What if the crane collapsed because of a flawed engineering design?

In these cases, you have the right to sue the multinational manufacturer of the equipment. This "third-party claim" can mean the difference between receiving basic medical coverage and securing millions of dollars to protect your family's future.

But you must act fast. Critical evidence—the broken equipment itself—routinely "disappears" or gets repaired by the company within days of a major accident.

Swipe through to learn the difference between employer negligence and a product defect, and read our full legal guide to understand your rights:

https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/offshore-equipment-failure-negligence-or-product-liability/

Offshore equipment failure can trigger claims against BOTH your employer (Jones Act, unseaworthiness) AND the manufacturer (product liability). Learn which applies.

07/13/2026

🚢 Building the biggest ships isn’t cheap! While massive container ships cost over $200 million, luxury cruise liners can soar to $1.4 billion! 😲

Via - engineering at sea

07/10/2026

⚠️ When the equipment you trust with your life fails, who is held responsible?

Every day, hard-working people suffer catastrophic injuries because multinational corporations cut corners on the design or manufacturing of heavy machinery, auto parts, and safety gear.

If you are injured by defective equipment on the job, you are usually not limited to just workers' compensation. You have the right to file a lawsuit directly against the negligent manufacturer for your pain, suffering, and full financial losses.

But taking on a massive corporation is a "David vs. Goliath" battle. They will try to claim you altered the equipment or didn't maintain it properly. To win, you need a law firm with the financial resources to hire world-class engineers who can prove exactly how and why the product failed.

At LKSA, we have spent 40+ years fighting for injured workers against the largest manufacturers in the world. Read our new guide to understand your rights and learn how we build winning products liability cases:

https://www.lksalaw.com/personal-injury/products-liability/

Injured by defective offshore equipment, faulty machinery, or dangerous auto parts? LKSA's trial lawyers have the resources and expert network to take on massive manufacturers and win.

07/01/2026

⚠️ A few miles can change your family's future.

The emotional devastation of a fatal accident on land feels exactly the same as one on an offshore platform. But the law treats them entirely differently.

If a tragedy occurs on land in Louisiana, state laws allow grieving families to seek full compensation for their profound emotional and financial losses. But if that same accident happens more than 3 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, harsh federal laws like DOHSA can apply, stripping families of their right to recover compensation for their grief and loss of companionship.

Insurance companies fight aggressively to limit what they owe grieving families based on these boundaries. You need a legal team with the resources and experience to fight the jurisdictional battles and secure the justice you deserve.

We've broken down exactly how the location of an accident changes your rights in our newest legal guide. Read it here before you speak to an insurance company:

https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/wrongful-death-sea-vs-land-fatal-accident-location/

The location of a fatal accident dictates your family's legal rights. Learn the critical differences between Louisiana wrongful death laws, DOHSA, and the Jones Act.

06/23/2026

If you were hurt working on a vessel, you might not need to prove it was someone's fault.

A claim for "unseaworthiness" is a powerful "no-fault" right for seamen. It focuses entirely on the condition of the ship, not the actions of a single person.

If an unsafe condition caused your injury, you have a right to recover. It's a critical protection every maritime worker should know about.

06/19/2026

A successful outcome is the goal — but knowing a client felt supported and well-represented along the way is what makes the work meaningful.

This kind of feedback is exactly why we do what we do. Congratulations to Jessica Ibert for the hard work, expertise, and care she brings to every case she handles.