Immediate Action: If you are receiving $30 or $40 a day for “maintenance,” you are likely being underpaid. Do not sign any agreement stating this rate is final. If you are a seaman injured on the job, you are entitled to “Maintenance and Cure.” This is the most basic, ancient right in maritime law. Yet, […]

Executive Summary: Most injured workers focus on “negligence”—proving their boss made a mistake. But maritime law offers a more powerful weapon: the Unseaworthiness Doctrine. This rule makes vessel owners strictly liable for unsafe conditions, regardless of fault. Understanding this can double the value of your claim. When I review a new case, I don’t just […]

If you are reading this, you or a loved one has likely been injured on the water. You are probably being offered “benefits” that sound a lot like workers’ compensation: medical coverage and a small portion of your daily wages. Here is the hard truth your employer might not tell you: If you are a […]

Owning and working on boats brings joy and freedom. It also brings risks. The Jones Act steps in to protect you when you face dangers at sea. This federal law applies to anyone who works aboard a vessel in navigable waters. It covers captains, deckhands, engineers, and all crew members for hire. If you earn […]

The vast oceans, crisscrossed by a global fleet of vessels, connect continents and facilitate trade, but at the heart of this intricate network are the seafarers themselves. These men and women, often working far from home for extended periods, face unique challenges and require specific legal protections. Maritime labor law, an evolving body of international […]