While the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the cruise ship industry for a few years, the sector appears ready for recovery. In its recent industry report, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found that 85% of travelers who have previously gone on a...
Maritime Law
The rules are different out at sea
Texas is one of the states located beside a body of water, the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to business operations that require their employees to be out at sea. Being out at sea can present complex and hazardous issues. Even though you live in Texas and your employer...
What is an unseaworthiness claim?
Many consider the maritime industry one of the most dangerous jobs due to the extreme working conditions brought about by the open sea. Unfortunately, aside from the dangers of the high seas, vessel crews are also at risk of injuries due to the ship or boat being...
Is a cruise ticket a waiver of your legal rights?
If you recently disembarked from a cruise ship with newly acquired injuries, you may wonder about your legal rights. Do you have the right to file a claim or lawsuit against the cruise line for your injuries? Unfortunately, there is a strong chance that you waived...
In a Jones Act negligence claim, what are “maintenance and cure”?
Perhaps you are a maritime worker and suffer from an injury you sustained while serving as a deckhand on a freighter. Under the provisions of the Jones Act, your employer failed to provide you with “maintenance and cure.” What does this mean and what should you do...
How does the LHWCA work?
The Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act provides protection for workers injured on the job in the maritime industry. It is like the workers' compensation program for the industry because traditional programs do not cover it. The U.S. Department of Labor...
A blanket medical authorization may do more harm than good
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury that required hospitalization, you also have probably experienced some sticker shock. After all, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average cost of a three-day hospital stay is approximately...
What may I use as evidence of an accident that occurred at sea?
Marine accidents undergo investigation by the Office of Marine Safety. The National Transportation Safety Board’s website notes that federal officials review the facts of each incident to find its probable cause. An official determination helps show whether safety...
What is the proper maintenance rate under maintenance and cure?
If you are a merchant seaman or commercial fisherman and you sustain an injury on the job, maritime law entitles you to maintenance and cure benefits regardless of who was at fault for your accident. These benefits must continue for the duration of your recovery and...
What are the risks of working as a utility galley worker?
Working on a cruise ship can be labor-intensive, especially for utility galley workers. These are the employees that perform tasks as part of a cruise ship’s food service, including the handling and clean up of food, utensils and food equipment. Sometimes this kind of...