The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, shapes maritime commerce and shipping in the United States. This essential legislation protects and promotes American maritime commerce by requiring that United States citizens or permanent residents own,...
Boating Accidents
5 most common accidents commercial fishermen face
Commercial fishermen in California fish for all kinds of sea life, such as crab, squid, salmon and anchovies. Although this job brings a lot of rewards to its workers and customers, commercial fishing has a demanding and unpredictable nature, which often puts those...
A day of boating turns tragic
A boat arriving late is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, a 30-foot aluminum charter that went missing, last seen earlier in Sitka, was a sign that all was not right. Following the commencement of a search by the US Coast Guard, one member of the group,...
The difference between admiralty and maritime law
If you get an injury on a trawler or crab boat off of the coast of Alaska, Washington or Oregon, you might start to hear about admiralty and maritime law. While people tend to use "admiralty" and "maritime" interchangeably, they are not the same thing. You might not...
Fighting liability limits for maritime injuries
Maritime injuries can leave you facing long-term and significant recoveries. This also leads to substantial costs. Unfortunately, many maritime liability policies have insufficient limits to cover those costs. When you file a claim against such a policy, you may...
What marks international water territory?
Understanding the boundaries of waterways is important when it comes to what laws apply to the specific area. If you have an incident, you must know which government has jurisdiction over it. While there is a general rule, it does not always apply. So, you will also...
Falls overboard a leading cause of death for commercial fisherman
Working on a California commercial fishing vessel involves a high level of risk, and today's commercial fishing professionals hold one of the nation’s most dangerous jobs. Maritime workers face injury hazards relating to slip-and-fall accidents, amputations, burns,...
Do life preservers have expiration dates?
Every time you step onto a boat or any other type of watercraft, you have some risk of drowning. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention roughly 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths happen each year in the U.S. This means there are an...
Who is liable for a cruise ship injury?
Embarking on a luxurious cruise should be an opportunity for rest and relaxation with your loved ones. If you suffer a major injury aboard the ship, however, the fate of your vacation might be the least of your worries. Any personal injury can be financially costly...
How does the Jones Act protect maritime workers?
When you earn your living as a California maritime worker, you have certain protections available to you if you suffer an injury while at sea. The Jones Act, or the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, gives you a means through which to recover compensation from your maritime...