What are Merchant Seamen?

Merchant seamen are maritime workers who work on vessels shipping passengers or goods across the seas and oceans, including:

  • Captains
  • Deckhands
  • Crew
  • Chiefs
  • First, second and third engineers
  • First, second and third mates
  • Deck Engine Utility (DEU)
  • QMED
  • Radio electronics officers
  • Electricians
  • Cooks and stewards
  • Unlicensed able-bodied seamen
  • Bosuns
  • Tankermen
  • Pilots

When these workers suffer injuries that prevent them from going to work, their entire families suffer. Regardless of fault, they are entitled to some assistance under the Jones Act and general maritime law, and when someone else is at fault for the injuries, they could be entitled to receive more.

Why You Need a Maritime and Jones Act Lawyer

The causes of injuries to merchant seamen are many and varied; each case is unique. Whether it is from failure to maintain equipment, broken equipment, lack of safety procedures, employers’ dangerous operations, mistakes caused by negligence or inattention or the unseaworthiness of the vessel, under the law you have the right to seek compensation from your employer and/or the owner and operator of the vessel.

As soon as your accident is report, the employer, the owner of the vessel and insurance company are investigating the accident from taking statements of crewmembers and investigating the accident scene from taking photographs to fixing or repairing the cause of the accident. In the majority of cases, the injured party or deceased gets blamed for the accident. It is important to protect your rights, that you hire a maritime attorney to protect your rights and start your own investigation. Latti & Anderson LLP has on staff its own investigator who has ties to the maritime community and will start investigating your case right away. We will also help you obtain the most you are allowed under maintenance and cure, which provides a stipend for you to survive while you are recuperating from your injury.

The Jones Act attorneys at Latti & Anderson LLP can explain your options if you were hurt at work. We can make sure you receive what you are entitled to under law, including past and future medical bills, past and future wages, pain and suffering damages, physical disfigurement and maintenance and cure payments. Contact our Boston maritime lawyers today and tell us your story. We represent clients nationwide.