When you get hurt on a ship out at sea, state workers compensation laws do not protect you. Land-based workers use no-fault state programs after an injury, but crew members rely on federal law instead. Why blue water seamen do not receive workers compensation State...
Few moments in a mariner's day are as exposed as the climb up a pilot ladder in a rolling sea. You step from a small boat onto a rope ladder against a moving ship, often at night or in bad weather, with little but your grip keeping you safe. When a rung gives way, a...
Maritime work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. When injuries happen on vessels, the legal process follows federal maritime law. This is different from standard workers' compensation. These differences affect the benefits available to injured workers....
Working on the water demands constant alertness. Your safety depends on your ability to stay focused during long shifts. However, fatigue remains one of the most dangerous threats to maritime workers. When exhaustion sets in, your risk of serious injury increases...
Maritime workers know the obvious dangers of their job like falling overboard, getting struck by equipment or slipping on wet decks. You take precautions against these visible risks every day. However, some of the most serious health problems come from hazards you...
When an injury happens aboard a vessel, the condition of the ship itself often plays a central role in determining liability. Maritime law imposes a duty on owners that goes well beyond ordinary negligence, and understanding how that duty works can shape the direction...
Maritime workers on container ships are the foundation of global commerce. Their labor is crucial for the maintenance of ships that are responsible for transporting the vessels that carry millions of containers across the globe's seas. While modern vessels are...
There are countless hazards in a maritime work environment. Workers on cargo ships and fishing vessels are often at risk of getting swept or thrown overboard. They are at risk if the vessel capsizes due to waves or is in unseaworthy condition. They may need to handle...
A cruise can be the ultimate low-effort vacation. People looking for adventure or relaxation don't need to spend months planning every detail. They simply need to arrange for time off work and transportation to and from the boarding location for their cruise. Cruises...
Working at sea exposes maritime workers to conditions that demand reliable, well-maintained personal protective equipment (PPE). When employers fail to provide adequate PPE, the risks of an inherently dangerous job can multiply quickly. A deckhand who lacks proper...