What is Jones Act Negligence? Jones Act Negligence is a legal standard that allows “seamen” to sue their employers for personal injury damages caused by the employer’s failure to provide a reasonably safe work environment. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, which is “no-fault,” a Jones Act claim requires proving that the employer’s negligence played a part—no…
What Are Waiver Agreements in Recreational Boating? As an attorney focused on maritime and admiralty law, I often speak with individuals who have been injured on the water. A common thread in these conversations is a sense of hopelessness because they remember signing a waiver before their activity began. Whether it was for a jet…
Maritime law is a field of law that is as vast and deep as the waters it governs. Unlike laws that are confined by state or even national borders, maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a unique and complex legal framework with ancient roots, designed to resolve disputes that occur on navigable waters….
Summary A policy limit demand is a strategic legal tool used to demand the full amount of an insurance policy to settle a claim where an insured defendant likely faces exposure to liability exceeding the policy limits. This demand places a duty of good faith on the insurer to protect its insured (the vessel owner)…
Understanding where maritime laws apply is one of the most confusing and important questions injured maritime workers and their families face. Maritime law does not follow simple state boundaries. Instead, it depends on geography, vessel status, worker classification, and the specific statute involved. The answer can change dramatically based on whether an injury happens on…
Understanding the statute of limitations for various maritime claims is essential for seamen, dockworkers, and offshore employees who experience injuries or losses at sea. Maritime statutes of limitations set legal deadlines for filing claims under laws like the Jones Act, the Defense Base Act (DBA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). “A statute…
If you’ve been involved in a maritime incident, understanding your rights under maritime law is crucial. Recent sea accidents highlight the importance of knowing how to claim salvage rights and protect your interests. What Is A Salvage Claim? A salvage claim allows for compensation after someone or a group of people rescue another ship in…
Losing a loved one at sea is devastating. Families who bring maritime wrongful death cases on behalf of lost loved ones must navigate federal statutes, complex jurisdictional rules, and tight deadlines in addition to navigating their own pain and grief. This guide provides an overview of legal options, discusses who may be liable in maritime…
Commercial fishing remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the world, with workers facing unpredictable weather, heavy equipment, and dangerous working conditions. When accidents happen at sea, injured crew members and their families often turn to an experienced commercial fishing accident lawyer for guidance. Seaman status decides almost everything else about a maritime injury…
Being injured in a boating accident, whether on a commercial vessel, barge, or recreational craft, can leave you facing serious medical, financial, and legal challenges. The steps you take in the aftermath are crucial, especially when your livelihood depends on working in high-risk maritime environments. From the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest, maritime workers…
