Unseaworthy Vessel in Jones Act Claims

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As one of the staples of maritime law, the owner of a ship or vessel must ensure that the craft is safely maintained and ready for regular operation. In other terms, the owner must keep their vessel "seaworthy." When this most basic of duties is not fulfilled and the vessel becomes unseaworthy, the crew and all guests on board and are put at serious risk of injury.

A vessel that can be deemed unseaworthy is hindered in some way by the following problems:

• Faulty machinery or other equipment
• Insufficient or ineffective crew or staffing
• Inadequate maintenance and dangerous conditions
• No direction from controlling officers

To put matters into perspective, a seaworthy vessel is one that:

• Provides seaman a safe place to work and live
• Is reasonably prepared for its intended operations
• Has regular safety inspections and working safety gear
• Has an effective and competent crew

Was your personal injury caused by a vessel that was unseaworthy? Let our Weston Jones Act attorneys at Rash Mueller hear your story and build your case.

The Jones Act & Injury Claims at Sea

Workers' compensation benefits are upheld by either federal or state law, depending on who was hurt and where. If you work on a cruise ship and are injured out on the open seas, however, you will not be considered in any federal or state jurisdiction, so you actually need to seek workers' compensation through a piece of legislation known as the Jones Act. This grants those employed for work at sea the right to sue their employer on grounds of negligence that led to damages or injuries. Due to the uniqueness of the Jones Act, filing a personal injury claim using it can become a complicated matter, and you should seek the help of a professional maritime lawyer before proceeding.

You may use the Jones Act to sue your employer for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Slip and fall injuries due to debris on deck
• Burn injuries due to pipe ruptures or onboard fires
• Head injuries caused by falling objects
• Preventable accidents caused by a lack of training or leadership