Maritime Law Glossary
- P -
Pumpman and electrician: qualified members of the engine department (q.m.e.d.) trained in all crafts necessary to engine maintenance (welding, refrigeration, lathe operation, die casting, electricity, pumping, water purification, oiling, evaluating engine gauges, etc.)
Pumpman (tankers): operates pumps and discharges petroleum products. Maintains and repairs all cargo handling equipment.
P&I: protection and indemnity, an insurance term.
Pallet: a flat tray, generally made of wood but occasionally of steel, on which goods particularly those in boxes, cartons or bags, can be stacked. Its purpose is to facilitate the movement of such goods, mainly by the use of forklift trucks.
Panamax: a vessel designed to be just small enough to transit the panama canal.
Partial containerships: multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.
Passenger ship: a passenger ship that its authorized to carry over twelve passengers.
Per container rate: rates and/or changes on shipments transported in containers or trailers and rated on the basis of the category of the container or trailer.
Peremptory challenges: limited number of challenges each side in a trial can use to eliminate potential jurors without stating a reason. These challenges may not be used to keep members of a particular race or sex off the jury.
Personal floatation device: approved floats meant as life preservers and carried on board american ships.
Petition: a written application to the court asking for specific action to be taken.
Pilot: a person who is qualified to assist the master of a ship to navigate when entering or leaving a port.
Pilotage: the act carried out by a pilot of assisting the master of a ship in navigation when entering or leaving a port. Pilotage is also sometimes used to define the fee payable for the services of a pilot.
Pilotage dues: a fee payable by the owner or operator of a ship for the services of a pilot. This fee is normally based on the ship’s tonnage.
Pilot house: the enclosed space on the navigating bridge from which a ship is controlled when under way.
Plaintiff: the person who initiates a lawsuit.
Pleadings: in a civil case, the allegations by each party of their claims and defenses.
Plimsoll mark: a series of horizontal lines, corresponding to the seasons of the year in fresh or saltwater, painted on the outside of a ship marking the level which must remain above the surface of the water for the vessel’s stability.
Preponderance of the evidence: the level of proof required to prevail in most civil cases. The judge or jury must be persuaded that the facts are more probably one way (the plaintiff’s way) than another (the defendant’s).
Pooling: the sharing of cargo or the profit or loss from freight by member lines of a liner conference. Pooling arrangements do not exist in all conferences.
Port of call: port where a ship discharges or receives traffic.
Port state control: the inspection of foreign ships in national ports for the purpose of verifying that the condition of a ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with applicable international law.
Prima facie: latin for “at first view.” refers to the minimum amount of evidence a plaintiff must have to avoid having a case dismissed. It is said that the plaintiff must make a prima facie case.
Privileged communication: conversation that takes places within the context of a protected relationship, such as that between an attorney and client, a husband and wife, a priest and penitent, and a doctor and patient. The law often protects against forced disclosure of such conversations.
Product carrier: a tanker, which is generally below 70,000 deadweight tons and used to carry refined oil products from the refinery to the consumer. In many cases, four different grades of oil can be handled simultaneously.
Propane carrier: a ship designed to carry propane in liquid form. The propane is carried in tanks within the holds; it remains in liquid form by means of
pressure and refrigeration. Such ships are also suitable for the carriage of butane.
Protective order: in litigation, an order that prevents the disclosure of sensitive information except to certain individuals under certain conditions.
Pumpman: a rating who tends to the pumps of an oil tanker.
Purser: a ship’s officer who is in charge of accounts, especially on a passenger ship.
PVSA: passenger vessel services act.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained within this personal injury site is of a general nature and is not meant to be a restatement of any rules of law. Your use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should hire an attorney to obtain legal advice for your specific case.
- Injuries
- Accidents
- Offshore / Maritime
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Food Poisoning
- Nursing Home Neglect
Personal injury is a legal term that describes a serious injury suffered by one person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another. Negligence or wrongful conduct can happen in the form of a car accident, medical malpractice, maritime accidents, or dangerous products.
Whether you were hurt in a car wreck, on an oil rig or suffered harm from a prescription drug, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, an experienced personal injury attorney can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. The personal injury attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been helping injury victims for more than two decades – and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
Learn More
Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in Louisiana. In 2008, there were thousands of car accidents, including 827 fatal traffic collisions – causing the death of 920 people. Considering that most of us must use a vehicle to travel to our jobs, our schools, stores and home, we are all at risk for becoming involved in a vehicle accident at some point in our lives.
The vehicle accident attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have devoted the past 25 years to representing injury victims in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We know that even the slightest mistake can quickly turn into a tragic accident – and if you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you have the right to file for financial compensation. Contact us at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request for a free evaluation of your claim.
Learn More
Maritime law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Maritime law encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat as a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers and many other individuals injured on a boat, rig or dock.
The Maritime Law attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been providing knowledge and experience to law firms across the country in the area of maritime law for more than a quarter of a century. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working in a maritime profession, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request.
Learn More
Dangerous drugs and dangerous medical products can often do more harm than the disease or condition they are treating. Despite FDA regulations, many products slip by with unknown and harmful side effects that could be caused by a flaw in design or production. Sometimes these side effects are known by the company, but the product is pushed through in order to avoid delays and make profit.
If you have been hurt by a prescription drug or other pharmaceutical product, the best thing that you can do for yourself and other patients is to come forward. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault of Louisiana know how to deal with the big drug companies and we work hard to help ensure that the injured receive justice. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We handle pharmaceutical litigation claims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
Foodborne illnesses are highly preventable, yet they are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 325,000 people are hospitalized due to food poisoning and more than 5,000 die. Poor preparation and improper handling of food can expose thousands of people to dangerous diseases such as botulism, campylobacterioses, e.coli, listeria and salmonella.
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to contaminated food, contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault today. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including victims of food poisoning. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
It is a difficult and emotional decision to place a mother, father or grandparent in a nursing home. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will experience the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. No matter how carefully you choose and investigate a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect, abuse and mistreatment do occur.
The nursing home negligence attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injury victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of people suffering from nursing home negligence, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If your loved one has experienced nursing home negligence, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We handle nursing home neglect cases from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across Louisiana.
Learn More
