If you or a loved one has been hurt in a maritime accident near Harrisburg, PA, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates at 717-231-1640 for a free consultation and help understanding your rights under federal maritime law. Our Harrisburg maritime accident lawyers will help you maximize your right to benefits.
Our legal team understands how complex and unique maritime injury claims can be. We have over a century of experience handling complex workplace accident claims. We’ve recovered tens of millions for injured workers across the commonwealth. We’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Marzzacco Niven & Associates After a Maritime Accident in Harrisburg?
Maritime law involves a distinct set of federal statutes and common law doctrines that require extensive knowledge and experience to navigate.
Here’s why clients trust Marzzacco Niven & Associates after maritime injuries in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania:
- Decades of collective experience handling complex maritime, workplace, and injury claims
- Tens of millions recovered in verdicts and settlements for injured workers and their families
- Deep knowledge of the Jones Act, LHWCA, unseaworthiness doctrine, and other maritime legal protections
- A hands-on, client-first approach with direct communication and aggressive representation
- Strong familiarity with Harrisburg’s intermodal transport systems and nearby inland waterway operations
If your injury occurred on or near a navigable waterway, our attorneys will fight to protect your legal rights. Call us today to schedule a free case review with a Harrisburg maritime accident attorney.
What Is Maritime Law and How Does It Apply in Harrisburg?
“Maritime law,” also called admiralty law, governs legal claims that arise from injuries on or around navigable waters like rivers, lakes, bays, and seas. While Harrisburg isn’t located on the coast, maritime law still applies to inland waterways, including the Susquehanna River and the port facilities that support transport and commerce throughout Central Pennsylvania.
Many maritime workers aren’t protected by typical workers’ compensation laws. Instead, they rely on federal maritime statutes for compensation, including:
- The Jones Act gives seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence. If your employer failed to provide proper safety measures, adequate training, or seaworthy equipment, you may have a claim.
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)provides benefits to dockworkers, shipyard workers, crane operators, and others injured while working near the water.
- Maintenance and Cure for seamen injured in the service of a vessel. These offer money for daily living expenses and medical care until one reaches maximum recovery, regardless of who was at fault.
- The Unseaworthiness Doctrine allows injured workers to hold a vessel’s owner responsible if the ship was defective, dangerous, or inadequately staffed.
- The Death on the High Seas Act permits certain surviving family members to pursue compensation when a loved one dies more than three nautical miles from shore due to negligence or unseaworthiness.
Our attorneys will analyze your status as a maritime worker, where the accident happened, and what laws apply to build the strongest possible case for benefits and compensation.
Common Maritime Accidents Near Harrisburg
Harrisburg’s central location along the Susquehanna River and its role in Pennsylvania’s freight and river trade industries make it a vital node in maritime commerce. Unfortunately, the work is inherently risky.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we help injured workers recover after incidents involving:
- Slips and falls on slippery or unstable vessel decks
- Equipment failures involving winches, hoists, cranes, and ropes
- Falls overboard or from docks and ladders
- Toxic chemical exposure to diesel, solvents, or asbestos
- Crush injuries from improperly secured cargo
- Burn injuries from engine room fires or fuel explosions
- Vessel collisions or grounding
- Overexertion or repetitive motion injuries
Whether you’re a seaman, longshoreman, harbor worker, or another maritime employee, we’ll stand by your side through every step of the legal process.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Maritime Injury in Pennsylvania?
Your recovery depends on how and where your accident occurred, your employment classification, and which maritime laws apply to your situation. But you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries.
Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages during your recovery period
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation or vocational training
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Maintenance and cure benefits (for qualifying seamen)
- Wrongful death benefits (for surviving family members)
Our firm works with medical professionals, maritime experts, and economists to fully document your damages and pursue maximum compensation from every liable party.
How Long Do You Have to File a Maritime Injury Claim?
Time is critical in maritime injury cases. In most situations, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file a claim under federal maritime law. However, some laws have shorter deadlines, and others require prompt notice to your employer or agency before you can file a lawsuit.
Missing a deadline could bar you from recovering compensation altogether. That’s why it’s essential to consult a qualified maritime lawyer as soon as possible. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we’ll help you understand which laws apply and the related deadlines for filing your claim.
Contact Our Harrisburg Maritime Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a maritime accident in or near Harrisburg, you deserve a legal team with the knowledge and experience to take on complex, high-stakes cases. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we’re proud to fight for the hardworking men and women who power Pennsylvania’s inland waterways, ports, and shipping industries.
Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule your free, confidential consultation with an experienced Harrisburg maritime accident attorney.