Blue Water Seamen Few jobs are more dangerous than a seaman working onboard a vessel. When it comes to maritime injuries and fatalities, the confusing issue of which law to apply—American or foreign—often arises when a blue water seaman is injured or killed. A blue water seaman is a seaman who serves aboard a vessel that primarily travels on oceans, the Great Lakes, and other deep waters. Vessels traveling in international waters, such as tankers, freighters, and grain ships, are generally crewed by traditional blue water seamen. To date, only a handful of American-flagged blue water vessels exist. Jurisdictional Issues Workers’ compensation does not cover a vessel injury that occurs in navigable waters. Instead, general maritime law and the Jones Act govern such cases. Special rules apply to seamen who are injured in international waters. Seamen injured aboard an overseas vessel may need to consult with an experienced attorney to address any jurisdictional issues and determine the appropriate place to file a claim. Filing a Claim Under General Maritime Law and the Jones Act for personal injury or death, injured blue water seamen are entitled to sue their employer, the vessel owner, or other parties who are partially or fully responsible for their sustained injuries. An attorney knowledgeable in maritime law can efficiently and effectively assist blue water seamen and their families in bringing forth claims against the liable parties. By seeking legal help, an injured blue water seaman may thus be able to recover damages such as medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from an unseaworthy vessel or negligent employee or vessel owner. If you have suffered serious injury as a seaman aboard a vessel, call Corpus Christi Tx Jones Act and maritime lawyer Sheadyn R Rogers of Rogers Law Firm at (361) 356-6057 for a free consultation concerning your case. |