Maritime Law
Before the Jones Act was passed in 1920, there was the General Maritime Law. The General Maritime Law consisted of court decisions handed down through the years as judges gradually determined the rights of seamen. A ship owner’s duty to provide a seaworthy vessel and a seaman’s right to receive maintenance, cure, and unearned wages are among the pillars of the General Maritime Law.
Seaworthy Vessel
A vessel owner has an obligation to exercise due diligence to make his vessel seaworthy and to properly man, equip, and supply the vessel. This obligation is viewed by the courts as an absolute duty owed to the seamen in service to the vessel. If a seaman is injured or becomes ill as a result of the vessel’s unseaworthiness, the owner is liable to the seaman for his damages or loss.
If unsafe conditions aboard a vessel causes or contributes to a maritime injury, then the injured party may be entitled to recovery under an unseaworthiness claim. A vessel owner is obligated to provide a seaworthy vessel to all who enter it. Maintaining the safety of the vessel includes the duty to properly man, equip, and supply the vessel. Proper manning involves providing an adequate crew that is properly trained. The vessel should be adequately supplied and all equipment must be in safe working order. A claim for unseaworthiness may be pursued together with or independent of a Jones Act negligence claim.
Maintenance and Cure
Every seaman who becomes sick or injured during the course of his employment, regardless of fault of his employer, crewmembers, or the owner or operator of the vessel, is entitled to his maintenance and cure. The courts agree that these duties arise out of the context of the employment relationship and do not require the existence of any negligence or fault of the vessel.
Maintenance and cure benefits are owed to the seaman until he is fit for duty or until he reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI). Maintenance benefits are intended to provide for the injured seaman’s reasonable room and board while ashore. The cure benefits include all reasonable medical expenses incurred by the seaman for treatment.
If you think your claim may fall under the General Maritime Law, or have further questions regarding the law, please contact an experienced maritime law attorney at the Cochran Law Firm today.
Related Topics
Cruise Ship Injuries
Death on High Seas Act DOHSA
Jones Act
LHWCA
Offshore Drilling Rig Injuries
Questions about Maritime Laws & the Jones Act
Why You need a Maritime injury Attorney
Disclaimer
The attorneys with The Cochran Firm have extensive experience in trying personal injury cases in states across the country. The results obtained in numerous cases have made a significant impact on clients’ lives, communities and industry practices. We have highlighted some of the remarkable case results on the Results & Verdicts pages of our website. The facts and circumstances of your case may be different and must be evaluated on its own merit. The case results on these pages represent the full award of the case before expenses and fees were deducted.