A Quick Look At Admiralty Law

Texas is covered by over 80,000 miles of waterways and is home to one of the busiest seaports in the nation: the Port of Houston. With so much hustle and bustle off our coasts, legal issues are bound to arise, and that is where admiralty law comes into play. Anything that happens on or near any body of navigable water is liable to call forth the admiralty jurisdiction of the federal courts and the application of the national maritime law.

There are a vast majority of legal issues that can occur on the water, just as they can on land. Workers’ compensation, criminal offenses, personal injury and employment issues are all covered by admiralty law when they occur on water.

The Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal law, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which governs maritime commerce, the rights of crew members, and the maintenance requirements of boats and shipping operations.

As per the Jones Act, negligence claims can be brought when an injury results from the careless acts of an employer or coworker. The ship owners could also liable if an accident is caused by the unsafe condition of their vessel.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that requires maritime employers to provide workers’ compensation for injuries and illnesses that crew members suffer while serving aboard a ship.

Cruise Ship Liability

Cruise ships are considered to be common carriers, which means that by law, they must exercise a “special duty” beyond reasonable care to their passengers, therefore, cruise liners must exercise the highest degree of care to protect their passengers from physical harm while aboard their ships. Injuries can also occur on a tender boat at a visited port of call or even off the cruise ship during a shoreside excursion.

We care, we can help

Due to the complexity of maritime law, it is important that you seek out experienced legal counsel to help advise you on your rights. It is important that you have the help of someone who is looking out for your best interests on your side at all times. We have a team of attorneys who are have a wealth of knowledge concerning the Jones Act, as well as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. We understand that dangers that offshore workers face daily, and the lifelong impact that maritime-related injuries can have on you and your loved ones. If you think you may have a case concerning Admiralty Law, please contact The Carlson Law Firm right away for a free consultation. We care, we can help.

• Written by Jill Fowler