Anyone who works aboard a sea vessel faces certain inherent risks and dangers. Seamen are often forced to perform work-related duties while battling inclement weather and rough sea conditions. Even in calm conditions; equipment may malfunction, slippery conditions...
THE SEAMAN'S PROTECTION ACT There are currently 25 federal statutes protecting employees engaged in protected workplace activity from employer retaliatory acts. These are commonly known as "Whistleblower Laws",...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently ranks the commercial fishing industry as one of the most dangerous of all U.S. industries. The safety and health of individuals who work on commercial fishing ships are often at the mercy of both the weather...
Congress Reaffirms Support for Jones Act and American Maritime as Part of Defense Bill The United States Congress this week enacted the strongest statement of support for the Jones Act and the American domestic maritime industry since the Merchant Marine Act of 1936....
Horizon Lines announced at the end of last week that subject to regulatory approval it intends to sell its business to rival Matson, including its Alaska operations, and its Hawaii service to the Pasha Group - a California-based transport and logistics company that...
December has been a busy month for opponents and proponents of the Jones Act. On Dec. 5th Senator McCain called for "Deregulation of the American Maritime Industry, citing a 2002 study published by the United States International Trade Commission which, "suggested...
Court's have continue to struggle towards a working criteria to mark the boundaries between seamen and land workers. The difference is important in regard to filing a claim for bodily injury. Those having seaman status are afforded the right to sue an employer for...
With respect to the second, or substantial connection prong of the test, Supreme court emphasized that the "fundamental purpose" of this requirement is "to separate the sea-based maritime employees who are entitled to Jones Act protection from those land-based workers...