The ALASKA JURIS, a factory trawler owned and operated by the Fishing Company of Alaska, began to sink in the Bering Sea on Tuesday, forcing the crew of 46 to don survival suits and abandon ship. The Coast Guard says the ship had a problem in the engine room that led to flooding. As the…
Foreign seamen injured on U.S. flagged vessels or vessels operating extensively out of U.S. ports are too often dissuaded from pursuing an action in U.S. courts, when in such cases, the particular foreign seaman is often protected under the Jones Act and U.S. maritime law. The U.S. Supreme Court has articulated a two-prong test to…
Yesterday, the Guardian newspaper in London reported that Carnival Cruise Lines has initiated discussions regarding compensation for survivors of the recent Costa Concordia shipwreck. This development raises concerns that Carnival may be trying to quickly settle claims with survivors and the families of the deceased before they retain legal representation. Such practices are common in…
After an accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Dealing with injuries, medical treatment, and the uncertainty of your work future can create significant stress. During this time, it’s easy to unintentionally do something that could weaken your future legal claim. It’s essential to be mindful of your actions, as they can significantly impact your ability…
The Superior Court of New Jersey in Latter v. 3M Company, No. L-10370-08, 2015 WL 868048 (March 3, 2015) reversed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment against a deceased seaman, Mr. Henry Latter. Mr. Latter died from mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure which Mr. Latter alleged occurred in part while he was…
Without a showing of any fault, a shipowner under general maritime law has a duty to provide maintenance, cure, and unearned wages to a seaman who becomes ill or is injured while in the service of the ship. Aguilar v. Standard Oil Co., 318 U.S. 724, 730-31 (1943). “Maintenance” is traditionally defined as a “living…
Hurricane Sandy, which is stirring up waves as large as 32 feet high according to buoy readings, is also giving a wild ride to passengers on at least five cruise ships. Captain Vito Giacalone of Carnival Cruise Lines told ABC News via telephone that the storm is getting intense. “We are navigating through some serious…
An explosion tore through an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico last Friday, igniting a fire and leaving at least 11 people injured, according to authorities. Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate two crew members who remain missing. The explosion occurred approximately 20 miles off the coast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, on…
Last week, BP Exploration and Production Inc. reached a settlement with the U.S. government, resolving a series of federal charges stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. This catastrophic event resulted in the deaths of 11 crew members and caused the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history, releasing millions of barrels of oil into the…
On Friday, November 2, an Alaska ferry worker was injured after a support cable snapped on the passenger loading ramp she was standing on at Bellingham Cruise Terminal, in Fairhaven. The female Alaska Marine Highway ferry ramp operator, who was not identified, was standing near the edge of the passenger ramp at 3:20 p.m., lowering…
