You know the heavy weight of a 20-hour shift when the coffee stops working and the deck begins to blur. Exhaustion is a constant companion for many fishermen and merchant mariners working the California coast. While you pride yourself on your grit, there is a point...
Medical experts note that amputation injuries are often life-changing events. Many amputation injuries create permanent disabilities. In some cases, people may have to deal with conditions like phantom limb syndrome, which can lead to long-term pain and discomfort,...
Offshore oil and gas professionals are often away from home for weeks at a time. Their jobs put them at risk of severe injuries and premature mortality. They generally receive very competitive wages for the time that they work and are subject to numerous laws intended...
Working as a deckhand aboard a maritime vessel is an arduous physical job. Deckhands are exposed to the elements for long periods. They are at constant risk of injury. Certain hazards are more prominent than others when looking at federal workplace safety data. The...
After your spouse, parent or child gets hurt on the water, you may feel confused. Their job title sounds simple. However, legal labels often feel like a foreign language. If you pick the wrong category, you might face delays in getting help. You deserve clear answers...
Since Congress enacted the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) in 1920, the surviving family members of deceased maritime professionals have had the option to take legal action after a tragedy. Traditional workers’ compensation protections do not apply to offshore work...
Harbor workers and longshoremen deal with many hazards at work on a daily basis. They share space with massive vessels and heavy equipment. Their jobs are physically demanding, putting them at risk of traumatic injuries and repetitive strain injuries. They are also...
Working offshore puts you in a demanding environment with unique risks. Oil and gas rigs combine heavy equipment, shifting weather, and remote locations. These factors increase the chance of serious injuries that fall under federal maritime law. Heavy machinery and...
Nets help make commercial fishing vessels efficient. They can sweep up thousands of fish rapidly when properly deployed. Professional fishermen often spend much of their time handling, deploying, emptying and repairing the nets used on their vessels. They become so...
Working on the water is a way of life for many in the Bay Area and Southern California. Whether you haul gear on a fishing boat out of Oakland or navigate a tugboat through the busy Long Beach port, you know the Pacific is unpredictable. However, many injuries do not...
