The idea that injured seamen have a right to 'maintenance and cure' is considered an ancient doctrine. Many seafarers don't fully understand their rights under this provision. Distinct from the benefits that can be claimed under the Jones Act, seamen are entitled to...
Year: 2020
Understanding liability for injuries on fishing boats
If you are a worker on a commercial fishing boat, it is likely that you spend the majority of your time in your shift working on navigable waters. This means that if you become injured, you will not be covered by standard workers' compensation laws that are applicable...
Why is drunken boating so dangerous?
There's a certain sense of freedom when you're on the water that you don't have behind the wheel of a car. Maybe that's why so many boaters tend to indulge in a few drinks when they're operating their boats -- even through boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or...
How to I make a claim under the Longshore Act?
Those who work in maritime employment are not covered by standard workers' compensation laws. This means that if they become injured on the job, they can not turn to standard workers' compensation laws to cover their financial damages, so they instead have to look for...
Seafarer fatigue is leading to more maritime accidents
There's been a recent uptick in maritime disasters and accidents -- and industry experts are sounding the alarm. They say that the situation could actually get a lot worse.Safety concerns that have led to worldwide travel restrictions have also kept roughly 300,000...
Dealing with illnesses and injuries as a seafaring worker
Working at sea comes with its own challenges. No matter whether you work on a cruise liner, oil tanker or fishing vessel, all seafaring workers are united in the challenges that they face.Seafarers are often subject to high-pressure work with little room for error....
Chemical dangers to fishing boat workers
If you work on a fishing boat, you have to worry about things like repetitive motion injuries, falling overboard, accidents with machinery and vessel disasters, among other things. It's no wonder that the fatality rate among commercial fishermen is 29 times greater...
How to file a claim under the Jones Act
Those who spend at least 30% of their work time on a vessel in navigation are covered by the Jones Act, but they are generally not covered by workers' compensation. This is because maritime laws apply to those at sea.Normally, when a worker becomes injured in the...
Pending oyster season brings with it a focus on safety
The recent global health crisis poses numerous challenges to many business areas. The oyster industry is under threat because a majority of their customers are restaurants, which serve this tasty and desirable food. Many of these restaurants have either closed or...
Careless boaters in parade cause others to sink
A group of boaters in Austin, Texas, have made national news after getting much more than they bargained for when they decided to participate in a parade that was meant to show their support for the president's re-election campaign. Five of the boats sank and at least...