Les Martin

Les Martin has distinguished himself as a New Orleans maritime injury attorney by taking on large employers and their insurers and holding them accountable when their negligence causes harm. In fact he thrives on the challenge of winning cases against the odds.

He has handled numerous of mariner and seamen injury claims, bringing optimal results through aggressive negotiation and litigation.

Mr. Martin’s dedication to his clients’ needs stems from an unflagging desire to help people. This desire was partly influenced by his mother’s experiences as a nurse. He learned growing up that one person can make a difference. From his mother he also gleaned a significant amount of medical knowledge.

Since 1993, Mr. Martin has been concentrating exclusively on maritime injury law. After earning his law degree, he worked for awhile at a small plaintiff’s personal injury firm and then at a large firm representing an insurance company. He quickly discovered that he wanted to represent people, not large corporations. He now exclusively represents injured seamen, longshoremen and other maritime workers in an effort to obtain the compensation they require to change jobs, care for their children and heal.

Among his more significant cases are:

• A seaman lost both legs in an accident. His employer denied liability, blaming the accident on the seaman because he fell asleep. Indeed, he did fall asleep, but Mr. Martin convinced the company that it was responsible because the seaman was exhausted from working 42 consecutive days. The case settled for an undisclosed sum.
• The state ruined the oyster leases of a group of fishermen. The state made no pre-trial offers. A jury awarded the fishermen $48 million.

Born in Metairie in 1969, Mr. Martin has spent his life in and around New Orleans. He now champions the rebuilding of the city, against great odds.

Education:
B.A. 1990, magna cum laude, Loyola University, New Orleans
J.D. 1993, magna cum laude, Loyola University, New Orleans

Law Review Board, case note editor

Admitted:
1993, Louisiana state courts, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana

Memberships:
Louisiana Bar Association, Louisiana Association for Justice, Gulf Coast Mariners Association

Practice Areas
Jones Act, Seamen Injuries, Maritime Personal Injury, Maritime Law, Offshore Injuries, River Injuries, Seaman License Defense, Longshoremen Injuries

Born:
1969, Metairie, La.