Maritime refers to anything connected with the sea, especially in relation to navigation, commerce, and human activity carried out on or near the water. The word traces to the Latin maritimus, meaning "of the sea." In everyday usage it describes the broad system of people, vessels, ports, and services that move goods and people across oceans, coasts, rivers, and inland waterways.
This section covers injuries on the water: ships, barges, tugs and the crews who work them. The general pages explain what happens when a seaman or a passenger is hurt at sea, in port or in international waters. The laws pages cover the federal statutes that govern maritime injury claims, the vessels they apply to, and the maintenance and cure benefits an injured seaman is owed.
laws3 pages
The federal statutes that govern maritime injury claims and the benefits an injured seaman is owed.
Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA): Protecting Railroad Workers
FELA Railroad Injury Claims: Complete Guide for Louisiana and Texas Workers Railroad work remains one of America’s most hazardous occupations. Every day, you face risks that most workers never encounter: massive moving equipment, hazardous materials, extreme weather conditions, and the constant pressure to keep freight moving. When injuries occur, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) […]Maritime Laws
Maritime law is the body of rules that governs activities, commerce, and conduct on navigable waters. It reaches shipping, the work people do at sea, marine commerce, and casualties that happen on the water. Published reference and training sources, ranging from the U.S.What Is a Jones Act Vessel?
A Jones Act vessel is a watercraft that meets three tests: it is owned by a U.S. citizen or company, it operates in navigable waters, and it is used or capable of being used to transport goods or passengers. A seaman injured aboard a qualifying vessel can sue their employer for negligence under the Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920, 46 U.S.C. § 30104) — a far broader remedy than maritime maintenance and cure.
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Are Cargo Ships at Risk Due to Poor Maintenance?
Explore the risks and responsibilities in maintaining cargo ships. Learn about the challenges ship operators face.Bunkering: Maritime Operations and the Growing Threat of Fraud
Discover the essential operations of bunkering in maritime activities and learn about the growing threats of fraud.Injured in International Waters?
Workers in international waters might feel unprotected in case of an accident, but that is not necessarily the case. This guide looks at the legal intricacies of international waters and injury liability. If you suffered an accident while on international waters, keep reading. Defining International Waters International waters are waterways located beyond any single nation’s […]Injury on a Ship at Sea
Accidents can happen anywhere, even on ships on the sea. But in these cases, who is liable for your injuries? Keep reading to learn what the law says about injuries on a ship at sea. Common Accidents on a Ship at Sea Working at sea can expose you to a wide variety of accidents and […]Mortality Rate in Underwater Welding: Risks and Legal Support
Industry estimates put the mortality rate for underwater welders as high as 15 percent, making it one of the deadliest occupations; older studies suggest welder-divers face roughly 40 times the death risk of the average American worker. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track the figure directly. Major hazards include electric shock, gas-pocket explosions, drowning, decompression sickness, and rapid-cooling weld defects.Prone-to-Injury Maritime Jobs?
Maritime workers face a fatality rate 4.7 times higher than workers in other industries, according to NIOSH. The most injury-prone maritime jobs include oil rig workers, fishermen, longshoremen, underwater welders, and shipbuilders. Common hazards include rough seas, heavy machinery, falls from elevated surfaces, toxic exposure, fires, and vessel capsizing. Long hours and fatigue further increase accident risk in these occupations.What Is Dry Docking? Legal Considerations for Maritime Workers
Understand the process of dry docking and the key legal considerations maritime workers need to know to protect their rights.