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Have You Suffered a Maritime Injury? You Will Need Evidence to Collect the Financial Compensation You Deserve You may be entitled to financial compensation if you suffered a maritime injury on the job. The Jones Act and other federal laws provide maritime workers with clear legal rights—including the right to “no-fault” compensation in many cases. But, regardless of what rights you have, you will need evidence to collect the financial compensation you deserve. Even if you have a “no-fault” claim under the Jones Act, you will need to prove that you suffered your maritime injury on the job. If you have a fault-based claim against your employer, a vessel owner or another company, you will need additional evidence of negligence or unseaworthiness. Maritime Injury Claims vs. “Ordinary” Personal Injury Claims Collecting evidence for a maritime injury claim and collecting evidence for an “ordinary” personal injury claim on land are very different. Many of the types of evidence used to prove maritime injury claims are unique, and there are unique considerations for collecting evidence in maritime injury cases as well. For example, timing is often a critical factor in maritime injury cases. When an accident happens on a vessel at sea, evidence of the accident can disappear before the vessel gets back to land. Proving liability for an accident that involved hazardous water or weather conditions presents unique challenges as well; and, in many cases, employers and vessel owners will attempt to fix issues before injured workers can gather the evidence […]

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Working at a dry dock can be dangerous. While many people assume that working on the land is safer than working on the water, this isn’t necessarily the case. Dry dock accidents are common, and many dry dock workers find themselves in need of financial compensation to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Common Dry Dock Accidents Part of the reason why dry dock accidents are so common is that there are so many different types of accidents that can occur. For example, some of the most common accidents that leave dry dock workers suffering from serious injuries include: Exposure to Toxic Fumes or Vapors – Working in confined areas or in close proximity to boats, equipment, supplies, or materials that release toxic fumes or vapors presents several risks for dry dock workers. In addition to the risk of inhalation injuries, burns and hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) are very real risks as well. Flooding – Flooding is a risk for drydock workers who work in graving docks. If water enters a graving dock unexpectedly, workers in the dock can find themselves facing life-or-death scenarios. Forklift and Crane Accidents – Transporting materials and equipment into drydocks or onto vessels with forklifts and cranes can be a dangerous operation. This is especially true if the operator’s vision is obstructed, if the operator gets distracted, or if dry dock workers are unable to get out of the way to avoid being hit or crushed. Shifting Vessels – Dry docked vessels can […]

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The job of a marine pilot is extremely important. It can also be extremely dangerous. From negligent boat captains to high seas, there are many issues that can put a marine pilot’s life on the line. Even if an accident isn’t life-threatening, it can still cause life-altering injuries. From chronic pain and physical disabilities to mounting medical bills and the inability to earn a living, accidents on the water often leave marine pilots facing substantial losses. 5 Important Facts About Injured Marine Pilots’ Legal Rights If you are a marine pilot and you have been injured on the job, here is what you need to know about your legal rights: 1. Marine Pilots Can Seek Compensation for All Types of Accidents The marine pilot’s job is unique in that it entails a broad range of risks. While marine pilots are tasked with ensuring that large ships make it safely to port, marine pilots’ own safety often goes ignored. As a result, marine pilots frequently suffer injuries in accidents involving: Negligent pilot boat operation Negligent operation of large ships and other vessels Being forced to pilot vessels in dangerous weather or sea conditions Pilot ladder (or Jacob’s ladder) failures Slips, trips, and falls on deck Falls overboard Collisions between pilot boats and other vessels 2. Marine Pilots Can Seek Compensation for All Types of Injuries If you were injured on the job as a marine pilot, there is a good chance that you are entitled to financial compensation regardless of the […]

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The Jones Act entitles many offshore workers to maintenance and cure benefits when they get injured on the job. With only a couple of exceptions, companies are supposed to pay these benefits regardless of whether they are responsible for their employees’ injuries. Yet, maintenance and cure denials are common. Why is this the case?

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If you work offshore or in an inland maritime occupation, it is important to know if you qualify as a “seaman” under the Jones Act. The Jones Act entitles seamen to financial compensation when they get injured at work, and many offshore and maritime jobs are among the most dangerous jobs in the United States.

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Every year there are numerous maritime accidents in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and other waters around the world. Unfortunately, 2021 was no exception. There were dozens of serious and fatal accidents last year. While some of these accidents made national or international headlines, most are known only to those who were involved or who lost loved ones too soon.

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Under ordinary circumstances, a vessel should never capsize or sink—especially with crewmembers or other seamen on board. Yet, capsizing and sinking accidents don’t just happen, but they happen frequently. So, why is this the case? When a vessel capsizes or sinks, what company is responsible? Most importantly, what are injured workers’ and families’ legal rights?

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If you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, you have the right to receive maintenance and cure benefits when you get injured on the job. You are entitled to these benefits regardless of how you got hurt (with a few rare exceptions), and your employer is supposed to pay promptly without putting up a fight.

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Barges can be dangerous workplaces. There is usually a lot going on, and, from rough seas to coworker negligence, there are numerous issues that can put barge workers at risk for serious on-the-job injuries. While the good news is that injured barge workers will typically be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act, the bad news is that securing this compensation can be very difficult.

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While it might seem like maritime collisions should never happen, these accidents are alarmingly common. In fact, our maritime collision lawyers routinely hear from seamen and other maritime workers who need to seek compensation for accidents involving the following.

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