Maritime and Admiralty Law

Working aboard a vessel or offshore is dangerous and difficult work. At De La Heria Law, we realize how hazardous everyday work conditions can be for seamen and maritime workers. Our dedicated attorneys seek to assist those sailors and seamen who have been seriously injured while at sea. If you have been injured aboard a vessel, you may be able to collect compensation for your damages.

If you are injured while working at sea, you may be able to file a Jones Act claim. The Jones Act is a federal law, which governs the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for their employee’s work-related injuries. The Jones Act provides remedies to seamen injured while working on a vessel. An injured seaman can recover damages from their maritime employer when the employer or a co-worker’s negligence causes an injury.

An injured offshore worker must prove some negligence or fault on the part of the vessel’s owners, operators, officers, and/or fellow employees or show defect in the vessel, its gear, tackle, or equipment.

Some examples of sustainable bases for Jones Act cases are:

1. Failing to provide a safe place to work,.
2. An unseaworthiness claim may be pursued against the owner of the vessel if the injury is caused by an unsafe condition on the vessel.
3. A violation of a maritime safety statute causes the injury.
4. Failing to provide prompt and adequate medical care.
5. Negligence of other employees or individuals for which the employer is responsible, including co-workers.
6. The vessel was not equipped with appropriate safety gear and equipment.
7. The vessel had unsafe recreation facilities
8. Failure to maintain a competent crew

A maritime employer owes a seaman a higher negligence duty than in the usual employer-employee relationship.