Safety is paramount when commercial divers are in the water near the vessel. The water may be a workplace for these professionals, but it's also an environment filled with potential hazards. Proper safety measures are mandated by law to ensure the well-being of divers...
Commercial Seamen
Adrift and injured? Know your legal rights on the high seas
The high-risk nature of offshore maritime jobs means that accidents can happen at any time, and when they do, the legal landscape can become as turbulent as the high seas themselves. For the victims, navigating the complexities of offshore accident claims can be a...
Physical labor and back injuries in the maritime industry
When people think of maritime injuries, they often think of things that are unique to working on a ship. They imagine workers falling overboard, getting hypothermia or being lost at sea when the ship goes down. Of course, these types of events do happen, and it’s...
How hard is it to prove negligence under the Jones Act?
No workplace is entirely safe, but maritime industry workers may be at special risk due to their extreme working conditions. However, injured seamen generally have to seek compensation under the Jones Act – not workers’ compensation. Under the Jones Act, a seaman’s...
Critical safety equipment for deckhands
Working at sea comes with a unique set of challenges and risks, making it one of the most demanding occupational circumstances in the world. For example, deckhands are consistently exposed to unpredictable weather, rough seas and a range of potentially dangerous...
The occupational hazards of container ship operations
Container ships are an integral part of global trade. They are responsible for transporting goods across long distances efficiently. While these vessels seem like marvels of modern engineering, they also pose significant dangers to the workers who operate and maintain...
When is a vessel “in navigation,” and why does it matter?
If you’ve been researching your rights to compensation for a work-related injury or illness under the Jones Act, you’ve likely come across the term “vessel in navigation.” It’s important to understand how this term is defined. To be considered a “seaman” under this...
Immersion suit safety: 6 tips you can use
In a crisis, you could be forced to abandon ship – and an immersion suit could be the key to your survival. These “survival suits” are designed to help sailors and other seamen endure the waters while they await rescue. A 2020 tragedy involving a fishing boat,...
Stay safe while working on a boat this summer
Working on a boat during the summertime can be enjoyable, but it also presents unique safety challenges. Many of the same safety tips that apply to recreational boaters also apply to professional mariners, at least when it comes to “beating the heat” when working out...
How much time do you have to file a claim if you are hurt at sea?
Pretty much every legal claim has a time restriction within which the plaintiff can file a lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations period. With a few exceptions, your claim will be declined if you do not act within the statute of limitations...