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…
Every year, thousands of passengers board whale watching tours in the San Juan Islands, dinner cruises on Puget Sound, or fishing charters out of coastal ports like Bellingham, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, expecting nothing more than a memorable day on the water. But accidents happen. When they do, corporate vessel operators count…
After a serious maritime accident, the path to recovery can seem overwhelming. You’re facing physical pain, emotional stress, and a growing stack of medical bills. A critical question arises: How do you quantify the full impact of an injury? At BoatLaw, LLP, we understand that a fair recovery goes far beyond simply adding up receipts….
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…
Suffering an injury aboard a commercial vessel is a jarring, chaotic experience. Out on the water, whether you are pulling pots in Alaska, handling lines on a Columbia River tug, or working the deck of a factory trawler in the Pacific Northwest, the line between a minor mishap and a career-ending injury is razor-thin. Knowing…
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…
What Are Waiver Agreements in Recreational Boating? As an attorney focused on maritime and admiralty law, I often speak with individuals who have been injured on the water. A common thread in these conversations is a sense of hopelessness because they remember signing a waiver before their activity began. Whether it was for a jet…
