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Our maritime injury lawyers know the importance of staying educated on the Jones Act and compensation laws for seamen and offshore workers.  We frequently update our website to contain the latest news on relevant topics for maritime workers. If you have been injured offshore in areas including the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, the Gulf Coast, Galveston Bay, Port of Houston or the Houston Ship Channel, contact us today.

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Learn About The Jones Act

• Sunoco given Jones Act waiver to move U.S. ethane
  Nov 25, 2011

  The U.S. government has given Sunoco Logistics a Jones Act waiver to transport Marcellus shale ethane, a natural gas liquid, from Philadelphia to the Gulf coast.

  The Jones Act mandates that only American-flagged, built and crewed vessels can move cargo between U.S. ports.

  However, Senator Pat Toomey and Representative Patrick Meehan inserted a waiver, arguing that there were not enough U.S. flagged LNG ships available.

  Ironically, the three ships that have been granted the waiver, the LNG Gemini, LNG Leo and LNG Virgo, were formerly American-flagged ships that were re-flagged some years ago.

  Source: Argus Media

  
  

• Maritime Worker Files Jones Act Suit After Boat Accident
  Mar 16, 2011

  An injured maritime worker has filed a Jones Act suit against his employer following an alleged boat accident that left him with a back injury. The Jones Act suit was filed in Jefferson County District Court on March 2, 2011.
  
  According to the Jones Act lawsuit, Francisco Ramirez, of Galveston County, filed the Jones Act suit against the shrimp boat the San Martin II and its captain, Quang Truong. The incident reportedly occurred last July while Mr. Ramirez was apparently working on the vessel.
  
  Mr. Ramirez claims that he injured his back while working as a seaman onboard the San Martin II. Mr. Truong has been accused of operating an unseaworthy vessel.
  
  Mr. Ramirez is suing the defendant for past and future medical expenses, pain, impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement and lost wages. He is also seeking all court costs associated with the Jones Act case.
  
  The Jones Act case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham of the 58th District Court.
  

  Injured in a boat accident?

  If you have been hurt in a boat accident, be sure to order a free copy of Jones Act attorney Brian Beckcom's book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.

• Barge Worker Hurt in Washington Bridge Accident
  Mar 15, 2011

  A worker, who was working on a bridge construction project, was critically injured after being hit on the head while on a barge. The incident took place at approximately 8:00 AM on Saturday morning, March 5, 2011, in Bremerton, Washington.
  
  According to Bremerton fire officials, a 39-year-old man was part of a construction crew that is building a new bridge across Bremerton’s Port Washington Narrow. He was working on a barge or small tugboat when the incident occurred. Reports indicate that the victim was hit in the head, which caused serious trauma.
  
  Rescue crews transported the man, who was unconscious but breathing, to Harrison Hospital and then to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was treated for injuries sustained in the construction accident. His injuries have been described as life-threatening.
  
  Bremerton Police spokesperson Daniel Trudeau indicated that it was not immediately clear as to what hit the worker in the head.
  
  Authorities report that two companies are working on the bridge project. However, it was not immediately clear which company the unidentified man worked for.
  
  All work on the bridge was halted immediately following the accident.
  
  The accident is still under investigation by the State Department of Labor and Industry.

• Louisiana Man Files Jones Act Suit Against Chet Morrison
  Feb 03, 2011

  A Louisiana man has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer after he was allegedly injured during a commercial dive accident. The Jones Act suit was filed in federal court in New Orleans on January 20, 2011, by Mark Lidikay.
  
  Mr. Lidikay filed the Jones Act suit against Chet Morrison Contractors following an April 29, 2009 incident that left him allegedly injured. Mr. Lidikay claims that he sustained serious debilitating personal injuries following a commercial dive while aboard the dive vessel Miss Joann.
  
  Mr. Lidikay claims that his maritime injury was a result of the unsafe and unseaworthy condition of the Miss Joann.  Chet Morrison has been accused of failing to provide a safe place to work and failing to have and adhere to a properly planned pre-dive safety job analysis. Mr. Lidikay has also alleged that his employer failed to provide proper equipment, as well as a qualified and competent crew necessary to carryout the assigned task.
  
  According to the petition, Mr. Lidikay is seeking damages as a result of his injury that he claims left him with physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress and medical expenses. He is also seeking damages for loss of wages and benefits, impairment of earning capacity, the loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and impairment of bodily function, interest and court costs.
  
  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman.
  
  
  

• Injured Seaman Files Jones Act Suit Following Incident With Pallet
  Jan 07, 2011

  A seaman has filed a Jones Act suit against his employer following an incident in which a pallet allegedly fell on him leaving him injured. The Mississippi man filed the lawsuit against Ensco Offshore Co. on December 1, 2010, in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas.
  
  According to the petition, Travis Dion Chambliss of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, became injured on May 27, 2010, while working for Ensco Offshore Co. onboard their vessel Ensco 82. According to Mr. Chambliss, he sustained a neck and back injury after a pallet that was being lifted fell on him.
  
  Mr. Chambliss is seeking more than $75,000 in damages. He claims that he has experienced mental anguish and lost wages as a result of the May accident onboard the Ensco 82. Information concerning the details of his injuries was not available.
  
  Mr. Chambliss alleges that Ensco Offshore Co. did not maintain a seaworthy vessel and that the company’s negligence contributed to his accident and ultimately his neck and back injuries.
  
  “The defendants were negligent and the vessel was unseaworthy,” according to the original petition.
  
  U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt is presiding over the Jones Act case filed against Ensco Offshore Co. by the injured seaman.
  

• Injured Seaman Files Jones Act Suit Over Air Tank Explosion
  Dec 19, 2010

  An injured seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer over an air tank explosion that left him permanently disabled. The Madison County seaman is seeking $46 million in the lawsuit. The complaint was filed in Madison County Circuit Court on December 1, 2010.
  
  Eduard Perez-Mossetty, and his wife Vanessa Miranda-Cotto, filed the Jones Act suit against American Tugs Inc., American Tugs and Barges Inc. and The American Boat Company.
  
  According to reports, Mr. Perez-Mossetty was working aboard the tugboat Alejandro on the Mississippi River when the incident occurred. Mr. Perez-Mossetty claims that he was working in the boat’s engine room near an air accumulator tank, which stores compressed air, when the tank exploded without warning.
  
  Mr. Perez-Mossetty sustained serious injuries that he describes as “incomplete quadriplegia with multiple spinal fractures.”
  
  Mr. Perez-Mossetty is suing American Tugs for negligence and for failing to provide a seaworthy vessel. The suit also cites that the company failed to perform necessary maintenance.
  
  The American Boat Company, which installed the accumulator tank, is being sued for negligence. Ms. Miranda-Cotto is suing both companies for loss of consortium.
  
  The couple is seeking $300,000 for medical bills, lost wages and attorney fees. They are also asking for $45.7 million for injuries, the loss of enjoyment of life and other court costs.
  

• Spider Bite Victim Files a Jones Act Suit Against Tetra Technologies
  Dec 16, 2010

  A seaman has filed a Jones Act suit against his employer. He claims that he was bitten by a poisonous brown recluse spider while at sea. Seaman Benjamin Chapman filed the Jones Act suit in Jefferson County Court on November 24, 2010.
  
  Chapman’s suit was filed against his employer, Tetra Technologies.
  
  According to the petition, Chapman was bitten on July 19, 2008 while working for Tetra Technologies. He was working onboard the vessel Southern Hercules, which was in the process of removing an old oil well off the Louisiana Coast. Chapman alleges that he was bitten while asleep.
  
  "Plaintiff and his crew were having problems with a spider infestation," according to the suit. "While sleeping, the plaintiff received a brown recluse spider bite, which resulted in causing blistering, pain and swelling in his left leg that lasted for two months."
  
  The suit alleges that Tetra Technologies failed to provide Chapman with a safe and seaworthy vessel, as well as a spider-free workplace.
  
  Chapman is seeking past and future medical expenses, pain, mental anguish, lost wages and impairment caused by the spider bite.
  
  Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, will be presiding over the case.
  

• Hercules Offshore Faces Jones Act Lawsuit
  Oct 10, 2010

  A Jones Act lawsuit has been filed against Hercules Offshore Drilling Co. by a female maritime worker for apparent injuries she suffered during her employment on one of the company’s vessels. The offshore worker filed her suit in Jefferson County District Court on September 30, 2010.
  
  According to the complaint, Ora Lynette Phillips was injured on September 8, 2010, while working on the vessel M/V Hercules 205. No details were available as to the extent of her injuries or how she sustained her injuries in the first place.
  
  However, the suit does allege that Hercules Offshore was negligent and failed to provide Phillip’s with a place to work. The suit also alleges that the vessel Phillips was working on at the time of the accident was not seaworthy.
  
  Along with all court costs, Phillips is suing Hercules Offshore for past and future mental anguish, pain, medical expenses and lost wages.
  
  The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson of the 60th District Court. Refer to Case No. B188-477.
  
  If You Are Injured in an Offshore Accident
  If you have been hurt in a maritime accident, be sure to order your FREE copy of maritime attorney Brian Beckcom's book, Insider’s Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. You need to read this easy-to-understand guide before you hire a lawyer or talk with the insurance company.
  

• More About Jones Act Suit Filed Against Marquette
  Mar 09, 2010

  A Louisiana seaman has filed a Jones Act suit against Marquette Transportation Co. Gulf-Inland. The Seaman claims that he was injured on board a vessel operated by the company.
  
  According to Timothy J. Rogers, he suffered injuries while working on board the Mary Kay, which is operated by Marquette Transportation Co. Gulf-Inland. The seaman filed the lawsuit on February 19, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court.
  
  While working on the Mary Kay, Rogers claims that he sustained injuries to his back and body. However, Rogers has not specified how the injuries occurred.
  
  He has also cited that the Mary Kay was unseaworthy and has blamed Marquette for negligence, resulting in his injuries.
  
  Rogers has made claim that he has incurred medical costs and loss of wages. He has also indicated that he has suffered physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment and physical disfigurement as a result of his injuries sustained on board the Mary Kay.
  
  Johnson is seeking a judgment that will include more than the minimum jurisdictional limits of the courts as well as pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest. He is also seeking attorney’s fees and other relief that the court sees fit.
  
  The Jefferson County District Court number is: D186-080. Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, will be presiding over the case.
  
  An accident aboard a ship can be catastrophic and lead to serious complication. We wish Mr. Rogers a speedy recovery.

• Jones Act Suit to be Settled in Sledge Hammer Incident
  Feb 03, 2010

  A Jones Act lawsuit involving a seaman that was struck on the head while at work is expected to be settled before the case goes to trial.
  
  According to the Southeast Texas Record, Nicky Hutson, a Mississippi seaman, filed a lawsuit against his employer after a fellow shipmate struck him on the head with a sledgehammer. Hutson claimed that his employer, Rowan Companies, negligently failed to properly supervise its employees.
  
  The trial is expected to commence on February 8, 2010. However, the parties contacted the presiding Jefferson County Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District, and reported that both parties have reached a tentative settlement. Details concerning the potential settlement were not made available.
  
  According to court papers, the incident in question took place on May 23, 2007, while Hutson was working aboard the vessel Bob Palmer, located in Sabine Pass.
  
  “Hutson experienced an accident which resulted in serious painful injuries to his head and other parts of his body while employed by Rowan and while being supervised by Rowan,” the lawsuit states. “Specifically, another employee struck Hutson on the head with a sledge hammer causing him to sustain a closed head injury.”
  
  Hutson, who is represented by Kurt Arnold, a partner in the Arnold & Itkin law firm, issued a complaint that cited that Rowan failed to provide proper crew supervision and adequate safety equipment.

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