In 2009, the scallop trawler LADY MARY tragically sank off the coast of Cape May, N.J., resulting in the loss of six lives. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that structural modifications had been made to the vessel without consulting a naval architect, leading to serious stability issues. The crew was unaware of…
Supreme Court Helps Injured Seamen — CSX v. McBride Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court preserved a legal rule which has for 50 years helped railway workers and Jones Act seamen recover fair compensation for their injuries. Despite a vigorous dissent by the Chief Justice, the majority in CSX Transportation, Inc. v. McBride held that if…
The owners of the ill fated fishing vessel the Alaska Ranger have begun legal maneuvering to avoid liability for the deadly ship sinking in March. The lawyers for the Fishing Company of Alaska (“FCA”) have invoked an archaic piece of maritime law that limits the amount of money that can be sought by survivors or the…
