What is the difference between a maritime injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim?

Maritime injury law in New Jersey provides specialized legal protections for injured workers in the marine industry. Maritime injury claims and workers’ compensation claims share the same goal—to provide financial support to injured workers—but they differ in some important ways. Maritime injury claims are based on federal law, and they are meant to protect seamen and other maritime workers who have been injured on the job. These claims may cover compensation for medical care, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. Maritime claims also may cover punitive damages, which can happen when an employer is found to have been particularly negligent, reckless, or careless. However, workers’ compensation claims are generally based on state laws, and they cover many different types of workers. These claims may include medical care and disability payments, but they do not cover punitive damages. Additionally, while workers’ compensation claims only reimburse lost wages at a fraction of the original salary, maritime injury claims make up for lost wages more fully. Thus, there are some key differences between maritime injury claims and workers’ compensation claims. While both are meant to financially support injured workers, maritime injury claims are based on federal law and are specifically designed for maritime workers. They provide a higher level of financial support, and they also include punitive damages if an employer is found to have been seriously negligent.

What is the difference between a maritime injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim?

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