Hawaii Maritime Injury Lawyer

Jones Act, Longshore, and Admiralty Law Representation Across the Pacific

O’Connell and Associates

Experienced Maritime Trial Attorney in Hawaii

Hawaii’s location in the center of the Pacific Ocean makes it deeply dependent on the maritime industry. From freighters to tourist cruises to dive charters, thousands of maritime workers keep Hawaii’s economy moving. Unfortunately, maritime work is dangerous, and serious injuries are far too common.

Attorney John O’Connell has decades of experience representing maritime workers, seamen, and passengers in injury and wrongful death claims under admiralty law, the Jones Act, and the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Jones Act Seamen Injuries

If you are a seaman injured while working on a vessel, the Jones Act provides important rights and remedies, including:

  • Maintenance and cure benefits for living expenses and medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Damages for pain and suffering
  • Future loss of earning capacity

We represent crew members from:

  • Freighters and cargo ships
  • Tourist and cruise ships
  • Snorkeling and scuba diving charters
  • Maritime construction vessels
  • Fish farm and aquaculture operations

Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Shore-side maritime workers—those injured on piers, dry docks, terminals, ship repair facilities, or while loading or unloading vessels—may be entitled to compensation under the LHWCA. This law covers workers who are not considered “seamen” but who perform vital maritime duties.

O’Connell and Associates

Passengers and Recreational Maritime Injuries

We also represent passengers injured aboard cruise ships, tour boats, and recreational vessels in Hawaii. These cases often involve:

  • Unsafe vessel operation
  • Equipment failures
  • Slip and fall injuries on deck
  • Negligent crew supervision or training

Why Choose O’Connell & Associates

  • Proven Trial Experience—Decades of litigating maritime injury claims in Hawaii and across the U.S.
  • In-Depth Maritime Knowledge – Understanding of vessel operations, crew responsibilities, and admiralty law procedures
  • Track Record of Results – Multi-million dollar recoveries for maritime clients
  • Local & Pacific-Wide Representation – Serving Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and Pacific island ports
O’Connell and Associates
O’Connell and Associates

Contact a Hawaii Maritime Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a maritime injury in Hawaii, contact O’Connell & Associates for a free, confidential consultation. We handle Jones Act, LHWCA, and passenger injury claims with no fees unless we win.

📞 Call (808) 800-0050 or fill out our Free Case Review Form today.

What is a Jones Act claim?

The Jones Act—formally 46 U.S.C. § 30104—is a U.S. federal law that gives seamen the right to sue their employer for negligence when they are injured in the course of their work. It is part of the broader Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and functions similarly to a personal-injury negligence regime, rather than a workers’ compensation system.