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A slip, a sudden shift of the ramp, or a missing handrail can turn a simple walk to a vessel into a serious injury. If this happened to you on a New Orleans gangway, you are not alone.
Shlosman Law Firm helps injured passengers, crew, and dock workers hold negligent companies accountable. We understand how maritime rules work in real life, and we put that knowledge to work for your recovery. If you need guidance after a gangway accident, we are ready to step in and fight for you.
What is a Gangway and Why is it Important to Gangway Injury Cases?
A gangway is a temporary bridge that connects a vessel to a dock or pier, used for boarding and getting off the boat. It must handle tides, vessel movement, foot traffic, and weather. When it is set up or maintained poorly, serious harm can follow.
Maritime law treats the gangway as part of the vessel. That means the vessel owner can be responsible when a faulty or unsafe gangway causes injury. The Admiralty Extension Act also brings injuries on docks or piers under maritime rules if a vessel or its gear played a role.
Poor upkeep, bad lighting, missing non‑skid, or negligent supervision often sit at the heart of these cases. Understanding how and why the gangway failed is the starting point for holding the right party liable.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Gangway Accidents
Gangway falls and collapses can cause a wide range of harm. Some injuries heal with time and care, and others change life forever.
- Soft tissue injuries, torn ligaments, and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations, contusions, and disfigurement
- Near drowning, drowning, and wrongful death
Pain is not only physical. Many clients carry anxiety, sleep trouble, and post‑incident stress that affects work and family life. Your claim should reflect both the physical harm and the emotional fallout.
Shlosman Law Firm’s Approach to Gangway Injury Cases
We handle these cases with careful investigation and steady pressure on the at‑fault parties. Our focus is simple: build a strong record that supports full compensation.
Comprehensive Case Evaluation
We dig into how the accident happened and who had control of the gangway that day. Our team reviews maintenance logs, policies, CCTV, incident reports, and crew assignments.
We also track down witnesses and bring in maritime professionals where needed to explain equipment failures and safety lapses. The goal is to document liability clearly and early.
Once we understand the facts, we map out the best path forward and keep you updated at every step. Your questions deserve quick, plain answers.
Understanding Maritime Law
Different laws can apply depending on your role and where the injury happened. Seamen can bring negligence claims under the Jones Act, and passengers can pursue claims under general maritime rules.
The Admiralty Extension Act often covers injuries on docks or piers when a vessel or its equipment is involved. Some passenger tickets include venue and deadline clauses that require filing in a particular federal court, such as the Southern District of Florida.
Louisiana’s personal injury deadline is two years for most land‑based claims, while the Jones Act has a three‑year window. Workers covered by the LHWCA face strict agency filing rules, which can be as short as one year.
Pursuing Compensation
We build damages with records, not guesses. That includes treatment notes, bills, wage records, and opinions from your providers about future care and limitations.
Our team pushes insurers and corporate defendants to pay what the law requires. If a fair settlement does not happen, we file suit and keep the case moving.
Damages You Can Recover After a Gangway Injury
Your compensation should reflect the full cost of the accident, both now and later. We look at your needs today and what recovery will look like next year.
- Past and future medical expenses, therapy, and equipment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring
- Wrongful death damages for families if a loved one was lost
If the injury keeps you off work or forces a new career path, we work with vocational and economic professionals to calculate the hit to your income. Every case is unique, and your damages should be too.
Why Choose Us for Your Gangway Injury Claim?
We are a New Orleans firm that takes on tough maritime and injury cases across Louisiana waters. Our team puts in the work, from day one through trial when needed.
- Consistent hard work and real communication with clients
- Deep familiarity with maritime claims and Louisiana courts
- A track record of holding corporations and insurers accountable
- A focus on getting your life back on track after a serious injury
We push for results that cover the care you need and the wages you lost. You focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.
Contact Shlosman Law Firm Today
If a gangway accident harmed you or someone you love, let us review your options and protect your deadlines. Feel free to contact us anytime at 504-826-9427, email info@shlosmanlaw.com, or reach us through our Contact Us page. We welcome your questions, and we are ready to step in quickly to secure evidence and start building your claim. The sooner we talk, the sooner we can get to work for you.