In order to receive protection under the Jones Act, as discussed in our last blog post, you have to prove a number of characteristics. Amongst them are that you’re a seaman, that the vessel on which you were injured was in navigation, that you contributed to the...
In 1920, the United States Congress passed a statute called the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Most people today refer to the law as the “Jones Act.” The Jones Act was intended to ensure that the United States had a modern and effective merchant marine fleet and to give...
The litany of shipping, transportation and business challenges that have impacted California ports in the past several years have caused significant concerns. This has stemmed from illnesses, delays and disputes. Through it all, workers have done their jobs and been...
The Jones Act is a federal law that provides important protections for maritime workers who are working at sea. Because of the importance of the Jones Act to a worker injured at sea, it is helpful to be familiar with the types of protections is provides. The Jones Act...
Whenever a carrier executes a contract for the transportation of goods for a shipper, a service contract must be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission. The following are the basics on service contracts and how to file them with SERVCON, the automated filing...
Whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, spending time on a cruise ship is supposed to be a way to escape your troubles. To relax, enjoy yourself and leave your cares behind you on land. Unfortunately, some people get exactly the opposite and suffer...
Working on a ship may be risky and dangerous. Ship crews face the risk of these common and potentially fatal accidents regardless of new laws and safety precautions. Man overboard situations Maritime law has many requirements that are intended to reduce risks and...
In general, when a worker in California is injured on-the-job, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, certain federal laws address on-the-job injuries in certain professions. One of these laws is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation...
A bill sponsored by California lawmakers Rep. Salud Carbajal and Sen. Dianne Feinstein would change a maritime liability law that many claim is outdated. The law would update the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, which restricts the liability of boat owners to the...
We have all heard the news that the cruise industry is ramping back up. All across the country, there are news reports of cruise lines announcing new voyages. But, with all of this good news (or bad news, depending on one’s thoughts on the cruise industry), it is...
