If you were hurt working on or around the water, one word decides almost everything about your case: whether the law counts you as a seaman. That single classification controls which statute protects you, who you can hold responsible, and how much your claim is worth. In short: You are a Jones Act seaman if…
For an offshore worker hurt on or around a platform, the first fight is rarely about how the accident happened. It is about which law governs your claim, because that single answer can be the difference between full damages and a capped benefit check. In short: Whether the Jones Act or the Longshore Act applies…
Losing a loved one in an accident at sea is one of the hardest things a family can face. If you are reading this, we are sorry. Here, in plain language, is how the law works and what your family’s rights may be. In short: A maritime wrongful death claim may fall under one of…
Longshore and harbor workers run a real risk of serious injury every shift, and many do not realize their rights extend well beyond a workers’ compensation check. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is the starting point, but it is not always the only remedy. In short: The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation…
Commercial fishing is the deadliest civilian occupation in the United States. NIOSH data shows that fishermen die on the job at roughly 29 to 40 times the rate of the average U.S. worker. If you have been hurt on a fishing vessel, or you have lost a family member at sea, here is how the…
Cruise ship crew members come from across the world, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond, and work long contracts on foreign-flag vessels that sail in and out of U.S. ports. If you have been hurt working as cruise ship crew, your employment contract probably contains an arbitration clause that points…
U.S. offshore wind is a newer industry, with the first commercial-scale projects coming online over the last several years and many more in active construction along the East Coast. The legal framework that protects workers in this industry was largely written for older offshore work, oil and gas, longshore, fishing, and the wind industry does…
If you have worked as a civilian contractor for the U.S. government overseas, on a military base, supporting a federal contract, or in an embassy or development project abroad, and you have been hurt, become ill, or developed PTSD, you may be entitled to substantial benefits under the Defense Base Act. The protections are broader…
If you were hurt on a rig or platform, the law that protects you depends on your job and where you worked. Here is how to find out where you stand. In short: Which law covers an offshore oil and gas injury depends on your job. Workers with a substantial connection to a vessel (a…
If you were injured working at sea, the Jones Act may give you far stronger rights than ordinary workers’ compensation. Here is exactly where you stand. In short: The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) is a federal law that lets an injured seaman sue their employer for negligence and demand a jury trial. It…
