Seamen / Crew Claims

Seamen / Crew Claims Attorney in Florida

America has an entrenched nautical tradition in the sense that our country was founded upon a strong naval presence and perhaps more importantly, on an equally strong merchant shipping industry. As such, our country has a long established and constantly evolving body of maritime and admiralty law. At the Law Offices of Michael F. Guilford, P.A., I have years of legal experience handling many different types of crew claims. My knowledge of admiralty and maritime law is extensive and I pride myself on being an aggressive, zealous advocate for all seamen. I will utilize my vast network of resources and investigative skills to pursue your case to the fullest extent of the law.

Seaman's Rights and Remedies

In 1920, the federal government passed the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, or The Jones Act, as it is more commonly known. This act, based on similar railroad workers legislation, governed and continues to govern, seamen and crew claims regarding negligence. The traditional seaman also has causes of action for unseaworthiness, and the right to maintenance and cure. A Jones Act claim requires a showing of negligence on the part of the captain or ship owner, unseaworthiness involves a products-liability type analysis, and the right to maintenance and cure is similar to a workers compensation claim. Our lawyers are extremely well-versed in the language of The Jones Act, as well as, the General Maritime Law of the United States and can explain how it applies to your case.

Please consider the following:

• Individuals that sail with the ship for a certain period of time, such as shore-based supervisors, may also entitled to protection under The Jones Act. We can discuss your situation and determine if your time spent on the ship qualifies you for Jones Act protection.
• Also, our firm does not handle only injury related matters for seamen and crew members. We also represent them in stand-alone wage claims and wage claims pertaining to the injury in question.

Seaman's Claim for Injury, Illness, and Death

If you are a seaman that works on a vessel that routinely sails in and out of ports in the United States, you have certain rights under the laws of the United States of America. In fact, even if you are not a United States resident or citizen, or if you signed an employment contract waiving your rights, or if they sent you home because of illness or injury before you could take any action in the United States, you may still have remedies. Your rights include:

• The right to receive money damages for any injury or illness you suffered while working, which resulted from either the negligence of your employer or unsafe conditions on the vessel
• The right to prompt and adequate medical care for any illness or injury, regardless of fault
• The right to receive maintenance (hotel, food, etc.), and sometimes your wages while you are being treated for an illness or injury
• The right to twice the amount of any earned wages if not timely paid and if discharged in a United States port
• The right to work aboard a safe and seaworthy ship, free of any defects

In the United States, you are allowed to hire an independent attorney to protect your rights and to file claims against your employer and the vessel to recover damages for your injury, illness, or wages.

Contact a crew claims attorney at the Law Offices of Michael F. Guilford, P.A. to schedule your free initial consultation. I can discuss how your case falls under The Jones Act, or the General Maritime Law of the United States, and the possibilities for obtaining a positive resolution to the situation. Flexible appointment times are available for your convenience. Call (305) 539-1999 or toll free at (866) 473-2636.