The remedies available to an injured seaman are three: so-called Jones Act negligence, the common law tort of Unseaworthiness, and Maintenance and Cure, the recovering seaman’s ancient right to a stipend and medical care. The Jones Act and Unseaworthiness each have...
negligence
A Bad Way to Lose a Case
Suppose you were hurt in a shipboard or fishing boat accident and have a Jones Act (or Unseaworthiness) claim. You message your girlfriend from the hospital and tell her all about it – there’s a long thread of detailed messages, you telling what happened, maybe saying...
Covid and the Mariner
COVID and the MarinerA seaman covered by the Jones Act contracts Covid from another crewmember and dies. Is the ship liable to the sailor’s estate, under either the Jones Act or the Unseaworthiness doctrine? Here’s a brief recap of the remedies available to an injured...
Jones Act Negligence, Unseaworthiness, and Other Seamen’s Personal Injury Remedies
Hurt on land, working for some land-bound contractor, factory or shop, and chances are you will look to worker’s compensation law to pay for your care and lost wages. Working at a shipyard, and your relief comes in the form of the federal Longshore and Harborworkers...