Working as a seafarer has its share of risks and hazards. During the storm season in California, the weather drastically changes, involving heavy rain, strong wind, high surf, thunderstorms and flooding. While working in an unpredictable setting like the seas, your...
Commercial Seamen
What does the Stop Work Authority mean for seamen?
Seamen operate in a unique and challenging environment where their safety can easily be compromised. The maritime industry presents various risks and hazards, making it crucial for seamen to have mechanisms in place to address safety concerns promptly. One such...
2 things seamen should know about the LHWCA
Navigating maritime employment involves understanding the legal frameworks that protect seamen and harbor workers. Among these, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) stands out as a crucial piece of legislation. The LHWCA, enacted in 1927,...
Maintenance, cure and unearned wages in a maritime claim
If you are a maritime worker, you may be entitled to several benefits if you’re injured in a workplace accident. The primary benefits to which you are likely entitled are maintenance, cure and unearned wages. Maintenance One of the benefits of working at sea is that...
The most common maritime injury scenarios
Maritime safety affects the well-being of passengers aboard vessels, the crew as well as residents who live and work near water bodies. Since the sea is inherently hazardous, provisions have been made to mitigate the risks of injuries and fatalities. For instance, the...
Safety when commercial divers are in the water
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...
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...