Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso

10/29/2026

If you work on the docks, you know how dangerous loading and unloading cargo can be. When an injury occurs, understanding who is actually liable is critical to securing your family's future. ⚓️

While the LHWCA prevents you from suing your direct employer, federal maritime law provides a separate, powerful remedy. Under the Scindia Doctrine, you can file a third-party negligence lawsuit directly against the vessel owner if their crew's failures contributed to your injury.

To win a Scindia claim, we investigate whether the vessel owner violated one of these three primary duties:

The Turnover Duty: The vessel must be turned over to the stevedoring crew in a reasonably safe condition.

The Active Control Duty: The vessel crew must use reasonable care to prevent injuries in any area of the ship they actively control.

The Intervention Duty: If the vessel owner has actual knowledge of an obvious hazard on the ship that the longshoremen cannot protect themselves against, the owner has a strict duty to intervene and correct it.

These principles have guided major maritime litigation across the Gulf Coast, including the landmark 1989 ARCO platform explosion litigation.

Read our newly updated, comprehensive guide to understand how third-party liability works and what damages you may be able to recover beyond basic workers' compensation.

Link: https://lambertzainey.com/blog/third-party-claims-for-dockworker-injuries/

10/19/2026

If you worked in shipyards, on vessels, or on offshore platforms in the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000s, you may have been exposed to toxic chemicals like asbestos or benzene without proper protection.

Many of the most serious illnesses—like mesothelioma, leukemia, and chronic lung disease—take years or even decades to develop. If you were recently diagnosed, your first thought might be that too much time has passed to seek legal help.

Under federal maritime law, you may still have a claim. ⚠️

While the standard Jones Act statute of limitations is three years from the date of injury, chemical exposure cases are governed by The Discovery Rule. This means your three-year clock does not start until the date you were officially diagnosed, or the date you reasonably should have known your illness was connected to your past maritime exposure.

Our newly updated post explains how the Discovery Rule works, who can be held responsible (including chemical manufacturers and vessel owners), and your legal rights. https://lambertzainey.com/blog/chemical-exposure-injuries-maritime-workers/

10/08/2026

If you survived a terrifying near-miss at sea, an explosion, or a vessel capsizing, walking away without a physical scratch does not mean you are uninjured.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma are real, debilitating injuries. Many maritime workers suffer from flashbacks, severe anxiety, and nightmares, yet stay silent because they fear their employer will minimize their pain or tell them to "tough it out." 🚢🤕

Under general maritime law, you have strict rights that protect your mental health:

Therapy is Covered: Under the Maintenance and Cure doctrine, your employer is legally required to pay for all reasonable psychological treatment, psychiatric evaluations, and prescribed medications (like SSRIs) related to a maritime accident.

No Physical Injury Required: Under the "Zone of Danger" doctrine, if your employer's negligence placed you in immediate physical danger and you genuinely feared for your life, you can recover damages for emotional distress even without a physical injury.

Protection from Retaliation: It is illegal for an employer to terminate, demote, or harass you for reporting a psychological injury or filing a claim.

Read the updated brief: 🔗https://lambertzainey.com/blog/maritime-workers-and-ptsd/

If your employer is refusing to cover your mental health treatment after an accident, they may be acting in bad faith and face additional punitive damages.

If you developed PTSD after a maritime accident, your employer may owe you treatment under maintenance and cure — even without a physical injury. Lambert Zainey explains your rights.

10/05/2026

Tonie, we’re so grateful for your heartfelt review! 💖 Treating our clients like family is our goal, and we’re honored to have supported you during a stressful time.

Read more about how we help at https://lambertzainey.com/lambert-firm-reviews.

09/02/2026

Join us in congratulating Chris Zainey, Jr. and Jeremy Z. Soso on being selected for the 2027 edition of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮®! 🏆

Chris was recognized for his outstanding work in Personal Injury Litigation and Admiralty & Maritime Law, while Jeremy was honored for his work in Personal Injury Litigation and Mass Tort / Class Action Litigation.

Because this recognition is based entirely on peer evaluations, it stands as a testament to their strong reputation and tireless advocacy for our clients. Congratulations, Chris and Jeremy! 👏

08/20/2026

If you’ve been injured on the job, you might wonder: Should I use my health insurance to cover the costs? 🩺 This guide helps you navigate the financial and legal aspects of medical treatment for maritime injuries.

📋 What’s inside:
🔍 When it’s appropriate to rely on health insurance.
📌 How maritime laws handle medical expenses.
💼 Your employer’s responsibilities under the Jones Act.
⚖️ Why consulting an attorney can ensure your rights are protected.

Read the full article here: https://lambertzainey.com/blog/can-i-use-my-health-insurance-to-pay-for-medical-treatment-for-a-maritime-injury/

08/20/2026

You get severely injured offshore. Instead of calling for an immediate medevac, the captain hands you ibuprofen and tells you to wait in your bunk until the next scheduled crew boat.
This happens entirely too often. Why? Because emergency medical evacuations cost the company money, and halting operations hurts their bottom line.

Under maritime law, a shipowner has an absolute, non-delegable duty to provide prompt and adequate medical care to an injured seaman. Giving a worker aspirin for a severe injury or delaying a Coast Guard medevac to save money is not just callous—it is actionable negligence under the Jones Act.

If your condition worsened, or a loved one lost their life because the company delayed their medical treatment, you have the right to hold them accountable—including suing for massive punitive damages.

Read our latest legal guide on your right to emergency medical care at sea and how we punish companies who put profits over survival.

READ YOUR RIGHTS:
https://lambertzainey.com/blog/ship-owners-prompt-and-adequate-medical-care-injured-seamen/

If a ship owner delayed or denied medical care and your condition worsened, you may have a separate negligence claim on top of maintenance and cure. Lambert Zainey explains. Free consult.

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Lambert Zainey Partner Chris Zainey, who was announced yesterday as the recipient of the 2026 Public Service Award by the Federal Bar Association New Orleans Chapter. This esteemed honor, named for the late legal pioneer Camille Gravel, recognizes attorneys who have made substantial impacts through public service and pro bono work. We are incredibly proud to see Chris's unwavering dedication to our community and the legal profession recognized at such a high level.

08/13/2026

Filing a Jones Act lawsuit is a big decision, but can your employer fire you for it? 🛠️ This guide breaks down your rights as a maritime worker and what to do if you face retaliation.

📋 What you'll learn:
🚢 Key protections for maritime employees.
📌 Signs of illegal retaliation by employers.
🔍 How to handle threats or unfair treatment at work.
⚓ Why a maritime lawyer is crucial in these situations.

Read the full guide here: https://lambertzainey.com/blog/can-i-be-fired-for-filing-a-jones-act-lawsuit/

Federal law bans firing, blacklisting or demoting workers for Jones Act claims. Learn retaliation signs, the 180-day OSHA deadline, and how to fight back.

08/05/2026

Did you survive a vessel capsizing, a blowout, or a catastrophic collision at sea? Even if you walked away without a single physical scratch, the psychological damage can end your career.

Maritime employers and insurance adjusters frequently try to convince workers that if they aren't bleeding or broken, they have no claim. That is legally false.

Under maritime law, if a company's negligence placed you in immediate risk of physical harm and you genuinely feared for your life, you may pass the "Zone of Danger" test. This means you can sue for emotional distress, PTSD, and lost wages.

Furthermore, your employer is legally obligated under Maintenance and Cure to pay for your psychiatric care, therapy, and medication.

Do not let an employer minimize your trauma. Read our complete legal guide to the Zone of Danger test, how PTSD is compensated under the Jones Act, and the steps you must take to document your psychological injuries.

READ YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS 🔗https://lambertzainey.com/blog/emotional-distress-and-the-zone-of-danger-in-maritime-injury-litigation/

If you feared for your life during a maritime accident — even without physical injury — you may have a valid PTSD or emotional distress claim. Lambert Zainey explains the zone of danger test.