Recent Blog Posts
Jones Act Covid Lawsuit Leaves Liability Issues Unclear
A recent lawsuit settled in Louisiana has left liability issues unclear for maritime employers. The lawsuit was related to the death of a sea captain who fell ill with the coronavirus and died. The lawsuit was filed by the sea captain’s wife who faulted the company for negligently exposing him to the coronavirus. While… Read More »
Is The Jones Act Preventing Food From Entering American Borders?
The Jones Act is a complicated and ancient piece of legislation that was designed to protect American shipping interests. In the hundreds of years since its passing, American shipping interests have not become a world player. In fact, America doesn’t have a very large shipping industry at all. This is creating problems for, you… Read More »
Seaman Files Injury Lawsuit After Hurricane Incident
In August, a drillship was hit by Tropical Storm Ida sustaining some damage, limited flooding, and crew injuries. Nine crew members sustained “minor” injuries, but four of those crew members had to be medevaced to shore. Now, one crew member has filed a personal injury lawsuit under The Jones Act, claiming negligence on the… Read More »
The Open Waters Act
The Merchant Marines Act of 1920 is the law in the U.S. Right now, there are border patrol agents scouring the coastlines for foreign-flagged ships delivering foreign parts to U.S. energy companies. The Jones Act and the Merchant Marines Act place restrictions on companies from using foreign parts in the energy industry and place… Read More »
Lawsuits Filed Against British, French Over Migrant Deaths
A French Human Rights agency has filed a lawsuit against its own government and the British government after all but two people died aboard a migrant boat in the English channel. There were 29 people aboard the inflatable craft when it began taking on water. The migrants called French authorities for help, but were… Read More »
Corporation Executed Over Oil Spill
“I refuse to believe that corporations are people until Texas executes one!” I’ve heard people say this before. Corporations get executed all the time; one just recently. But it doesn’t look the same as when a person is executed. Recently, Taylor Energy was “executed” by the U.S. government after its attorneys agreed to liquidate… Read More »
Big Oil, U.S. Fishing Team Up To Stop Offshore Wind Farms
Lobbyists for U.S. Fishing and Wildlife teamed up with unlikely bedfellows from Big Oil to help kill a bill that would allow for the construction of offshore wind farms. The Biden Administration is hoping to find renewable and cleaner sources of energy, but special interests oppose the expansion, albeit for different reasons. U.S. Fishing… Read More »
Two Fishermen Die, Family Pledges Support For Training
The families of two fishermen who lost their lives has spurred forth community efforts to raise awareness around the perils of fishing and offer safety and training programs to aspiring fishermen. The Seaworthy Foundation, is using the tragedies to ensure the legacies of the slain fishermen and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Among… Read More »
Cruise Industry Claims It’s Safer Than Other Vacations
The spread of the coronavirus and delta variant remains an issue, even after quarantine provisions appear to have faded into the distance. The cruise industry was to blame for many of the first outbreaks associated with the coronavirus and has since dealt with lawsuits and restrictions placed upon them by the CDC. Those restrictions… Read More »
Could Changes To Maritime Law Be On The Horizon?
In 2019, 34 people died on a dive boat that caught fire. In 1851, Congress passed the Limitation of Liability Act which was meant to encourage investment in the shipping industry. If a lawsuit is brought against a vessel owner, the owner can immediately invoke bankruptcy-like protections that harm plaintiffs. In the case of… Read More »
