Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. (MWL) represents insurers in the unique area involving admiralty and maritime losses on the navigable waters, at marinas, on rivers, or in oceans. We handle claims involving limitation of liability, vessel negligence, offshore product liability, ocean marine, LHWCA subrogation, Jones Act, or insurance coverage issues relating to any of the above.

Maritime law also covers many of the commercial activities that, although land based, are maritime in nature. Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution grants original jurisdiction to the federal courts over admiralty and maritime matters. However, the vast majority of maritime actions, such as suits for damage to cargo, injuries to seamen, and subrogation actions may be brought in either state or federal court under the “Saving-to-Suitors” Clause.

Our team works with maritime surveyors and cause and origin experts to properly investigate these unique losses. We have the experience necessary to analyze and apply the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Jones Act, or Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) law to your file to see to it that you receive the maximum subrogation recovery possible. In fact, our book, Workers’ Compensation Subrogation In All 50 States, published by Juris Publishing, Inc., New York, contains an entire chapter dedicated to the LHWCA.

If your loss involves an accident on the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or any state inland lake or other major national waterways, MWL is here to help you understand and take action on any recovery potential you may have. Gary Wickert practiced in Houston, Texas for nearly 15 years, including a comprehensive background in admiralty, maritime, Jones Act, and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation. Our comprehensive knowledge of and special focus on all workings of our country’s maritime judicial system is put to work for you and your subrogation department. Whether the issue involves limitation of liability, vessel negligence, offshore product liability, ocean marine, LHWCA subrogation, Jones Act, or insurance coverage issues relating to any of the above, we are here to help provide you with the right answers and immediate solutions and action on your subrogation files.