Unseaworthiness and Jones Act Protections for Injured Seamen
According to federal law, vessel owners must reasonably ensure the seaworthiness of their ship, boat, tug, dredge, barge or any other vessel. This means that owners must take reasonable steps to avoid or address dangerous working conditions arising out of vessel and equipment maintenance and repair.
A claim of unseaworthiness under the Jones Act enables an injured seaman to seek compensation directly from the owner of a ship or other vessel, whether or not the owner had any prior knowledge of the dangerous conditions.
If you were injured or a family member was killed in a maritime accident that occurred on a vessel that was unseaworthy, please contact the Houston, Texas, attorneys of Stevenson & Murray for a free consultation. All client consultations are strictly confidential. The firm serves clients injured on vessels operating in the Gulf of Mexico and on seas and oceans worldwide.
What Constitutes an Unseaworthy Vessel?
Undermanning of vessels, equipment failure, missing safety equipment, lack of an appropriate number of life vests or rafts; any of these may be a failure of seaworthiness. Even a temporary condition like broken rigging, a malfunctioning crane or winch, even an onboard oil spill resulting in slippery decks can give rise to a seaworthiness claim.
Seaworthiness failure claims often involve complex issues of liability and fine legal distinctions that may be beyond the experience of any but the most accomplished maritime and admiralty lawyers. Seaworthiness claims may require standing up for the rights of an injured crewman against the interests of a major multinational corporation.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer
The Texas law firm of Stevenson & Murray welcomes the opportunity to stand up for you and fight for your recovery after a seaworthiness failure resulted in serious injury or wrongful death on an unsafe vessel. We invite you to contact our Houston offices toll-free at 866.611.3133 to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation. You may also contact us by e-mail for straightforward answers or to request a case evaluation.
