What is Maintenance and Cure? Maintenance and cure is an ancient maritime law doctrine that requires a vessel owner or maritime employer to provide payment for daily living expenses (maintenance) and comprehensive medical treatment (cure) to a seaman who becomes ill or injured while in the service of a vessel, regardless of who was at…
If you have been injured while working on the water, you are likely facing a mountain of medical bills, lost wages, and a confusing web of legal terms. You know you need legal representation, but as you search for help, you keep seeing two different titles: Jones Act attorney and maritime injury attorney. What is…
If you are a seaman who has been injured at sea, you may have more legal options available to you than you realize. Beyond the well-known Jones Act, maritime law provides another powerful avenue for injured crew members: the unseaworthiness doctrine. Understanding this doctrine (what it means, how it works, and what damages you can…
How a Limitation of Liability Act Maritime Lawyer Protects Your Rights After an Accident If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a maritime disaster, you likely expect the vessel owner to take responsibility. However, many maritime workers are shocked to discover that instead of receiving a settlement offer, they…
What Are Jones Act Damages? Jones Act damages are the financial compensation injured maritime workers, such as fishermen, deckhands, and processors, can legally recover after being hurt at sea due to employer negligence. Unlike standard land-based workers’ compensation, these damages explicitly cover pain and suffering, lost future earning capacity, and past medical expenses. A serious…
A 60-day waiver, a 659-product carve-out, and a tightened legal standard — what maritime stakeholders need to understand about the most significant Jones Act action in years. On March 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, acting on a request from the Department of War, issued a 60-day limited waiver of the Jones Act…
What is Jones Act Negligence? Jones Act Negligence is a legal standard that allows “seamen” to sue their employers for personal injury damages caused by the employer’s failure to provide a reasonably safe work environment. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, which is “no-fault,” a Jones Act claim requires proving that the employer’s negligence played a part—no…
The maritime industry is a global enterprise, powered by hardworking men and women from every corner of the world. A common and dangerous misconception, however, is that the powerful legal protections afforded to injured seamen under United States law are reserved exclusively for American citizens. This is not the case. Many foreign maritime workers who…
Injured Alaskan Crewman Defeats Owner’s Limited Liability Claim-In the Matter of the Complaint of Leo, LLC et al. v. Flora Under maritime law, vessel owners facing liability for an injured crewman can petition the court to limit their liability to the value of the vessel and pending freight. They make the request pursuant to the…
Commercial fishing remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the world, with workers facing unpredictable weather, heavy equipment, and dangerous working conditions. When accidents happen at sea, injured crew members and their families often turn to an experienced commercial fishing accident lawyer for guidance. Seaman status decides almost everything else about a maritime injury…
