Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC

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Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC 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. Since 1987, Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC (LKSA Law) has earned a national reputation as one of America's premier litigation firms, with a distinguished focus on high-stakes maritime and admiralty law. Our attorneys are the trusted advocates clients and other law firms turn to for the most complex and challenging cases. Court-Appointed Disaster Leadership:

Our firm is defined by the trust placed in us by the judiciary. Federal courts have repeatedly appointed our attorneys to the highest leadership roles in the nation's most consequential maritime disasters, including serving as Co-Lead Trial Counsel in the Deepwater Horizon litigation and on the Executive Committee for the SEACOR Power tragedy. Elite Trial Credentials:

Our team includes multiple Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers—honors reserved for the most accomplished trial attorneys in the world. This trial-ready reputation provides critical leverage in securing justice for our clients. Our Core Practice Areas:

Maritime & Admiralty Law (Jones Act, LHWCA, Offshore Accidents)

Catastrophic Personal Injury (TBI, Spinal Cord Injury)

Medical Malpractice (Birth Injury, Bed Sores)

Aviation Accidents

We combine over 130 years of collective experience with a compassionate, client-centered approach to achieve exceptional results. Contact us for a confidential consultation or to discuss a potential referral. Specialties:

Maritime Law, Jones Act, Offshore Accidents, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Catastrophic Injury Litigation, Wrongful Death, Aviation Accidents, and Complex Civil Litigation.

Please join us in congratulating David Abramson on being named to New Orleans Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers list in Medica...
11/03/2026

Please join us in congratulating David Abramson on being named to New Orleans Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers list in Medical Malpractice Law!

Representing individuals and families impacted by medical negligence demands meticulous legal preparation, thorough technical analysis, and deep empathy. David’s unwavering pursuit of accountability has rightfully earned him the esteem and respect of his colleagues across the Louisiana legal community.

Congratulations to David on this outstanding peer recognition! Pick up the November issue of New Orleans Magazine to see the complete list of honorees.

We are proud to share that Paul Sterbcow and Ian Taylor have been named 2026 Top Lawyers by New Orleans Magazine for Adm...
11/02/2026

We are proud to share that Paul Sterbcow and Ian Taylor have been named 2026 Top Lawyers by New Orleans Magazine for Admiralty & Maritime Law!

From inland waterways to offshore energy operations in the Gulf, navigating complex maritime law requires deep trial experience and formidable advocacy. Paul and Ian have dedicated their careers to standing up for individuals and families navigating the aftermath of catastrophic maritime casualties.

Please join our entire team in congratulating Paul and Ian on this well-earned recognition from their peers in the New Orleans legal community! Look for the full feature in the November issue of New Orleans Magazine.

"If I hire a lawyer or file a claim, will I ever be able to work on the water again?"This is the number one question we ...
10/23/2026

"If I hire a lawyer or file a claim, will I ever be able to work on the water again?"

This is the number one question we hear from injured maritime workers. The fear of being fired or "blacklisted" is incredibly common. Unfortunately, some companies rely on this fear to keep injured workers quiet, preventing them from getting the medical care and financial compensation they need to support their families.

We want to be absolutely clear: The law protects your career.

Federal laws, including the Seaman’s Protection Act, make it strictly illegal for a maritime employer to fire, demote, or retaliate against you simply because you reported an injury or hired an attorney to protect your rights. If a company attempts to punish you for filing a legitimate Jones Act claim, they can be hit with massive legal penalties, including punitive damages.

Don't let the fear of retaliation force you to walk away from what you are legally owed. We’ve updated our guide that tackles this issue head-on, explaining exactly how the law protects your future in the industry.

Read it here and know your rights: https://www.lksalaw.com/blog/will-filing-a-maritime-claim-affect-my-future-in-the-industry/

Federal law prohibits maritime employers from retaliating against workers who file Jones Act claims. Your career is protected. LKSA explains your rights. Free confidential consultation.

⚠️ Not all scars from an offshore accident are visible.There is a common misconception in the maritime industry that you...
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.

Transferring via a personnel basket over the Gulf is a routine but highly complex operation. When a transfer goes wrong ...
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/

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

Address

601 Poydras Street, Ste 2615
New Orleans, LA
70130

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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