Workboat Capsized Near Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge
On Wednesday, December 30, 2015, The U.S. Coast Guard and several good Samaritans were searching for a person who went missing after a workboat capsized…
Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act
Whether a maritime worker is a member of a crew on a vessel, working on a platform or other offshore facility, or working as a longshoreman, he…
UPDATE – Cargo Ship, El Faro, Believed to Have Sunk; Search Focused on Survivors
The U.S. Coast Guard has found a body and an empty, heavily damaged lifeboat in their search for the El Faro, which is now assumed…
Cargo Ship El Faro Missing in Atlantic Ocean Amid Hurricane
On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard was searching the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas for a 735-foot cargo ship, El Faro. The El Faro was…
$18.7 Billion BP Settlement Largest Environmental Settlement Ever
The Federal Government, Gulf Coast States, and BP have reached a settlement in the amount of $18.7 billion, the largest environmental settlement ever. The BP…
Repealing the Jones Act Hurts Maritime Workers
Senator John McCain found little support for his recent proposal to repeal parts of the Jones Act. Sen. McCain objected to a part of the Jones Act,…
Sandblasting Injuries Can Be Prevented With Proper Precautions
Marine, industrial and commercial workers are mostly familiar with the practice of sandblasting and sandblasting injuries. Abrasive blasting is still commonly referred to as sandblasting…
Water Blasting Injuries Are Severe Even If They Do Not Appear To Be
Water blasting injuries are becoming more common now that many companies are making the switch from sandblasting to water blasting. Water blasting, like sandblasting, involves…
Tugboat Accident: Hawser Cable Snap-Back
A tugboat is a vessel that has the specialized task of moving larger maritime structures or vessels from one place to another. Tugboats move a…
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear BP Appeal
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court denied BP’s writ application, declining to hear the company’s appeal of its oil spill settlement. As Nola.com reports,…
Oil and Gas Platform Explosions in the Gulf of Mexico
On November 20, 2014, an oil and gas platform, owned by Fieldwood Energy, exploded 12 miles off the coast of Louisiana, killing one and injuring…
Punitive Damages in Maintenance and Cure Claims
For maritime workers, understanding your legal rights is not just a matter of professional knowledge; it’s a lifeline. Maintenance and cure benefits are designed to…
Oil Rig Workers Are Underpaid
A study by ProPublica into Department of Labor investigations has shown that most oil and gas rig workers may in fact be underpaid. These men…
Offshore Crash of a Helicopter Caused by Methane Gas
A March 24, 2011 offshore helicopter crash is now believed to be caused by methane gas. Methane gas is discharged from oil platforms as a…
New Warning to Prevent Offshore Helicopter Accidents
Due to a string of recent helicopter accidents traveling to or near offshore oil rigs, the National Transportation Safety Board is taking action. They are…
BP Faces Fines for ‘Gross Negligence’ that led to the Disaster in the Gulf
On Thursday, United States District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier ruled that BP acted with “conscious disregard of known risks” in the events that led…
Injured Man Airlifted by U.S. Coastguard Off Louisiana Coast
August 15th, Nola.com reported a 33-year-old injured man was airlifted by a U.S. Coastguard rescue crew from a bulk freighter off the Louisiana Gulf Coast. The…
Falling Crane Kills Tugboat Captain
Tugboat Captain Michael Collins was killed early Thursday morning following an accident on the Industrial Canal. According to a report from Nola.com, a crane fell…
What is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that provides compensation and medical care to employees who are injured or who…
BP Medical Claimants Now Receiving Payments
USA Today is reporting that BP has started paying medical claimants. According to an article on USAtoday.com, BP has paid 100 of approximately 10,000 medical…