Merchant Seamen

Merchant Seaman Injury Experts

As experienced maritime attorneys, we know how dangerous the jobs of merchant seamen can be—and how prevalent merchant seaman injury is. The cargo they transport is often hazardous, leaving workers exposed to serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. By law, shipping companies are supposed to have regular audits of their ships to certify safety management systems and meet ISM (International Safety Management) code regulations.

If a shipping company fails to obtain ISM certification and the injury and/or death of a merchant seaman occurs, the shipping company may be liable.

There are many causes of merchant seaman Injury. Some of the most common include:

• Failure of shipping company to obey ISM regulations
• Poorly maintained safety equipment
• Untrained staff
• Inadequate safety procedures
• Careless operation of hatches and valves
• Crewmember failure to follow safety procedures

Other dangers facing merchant seamen include injury or death due to unseaworthiness, defective equipment, and sinking and collisions. Regardless of how the injury occurs, you need an experienced maritime law firm such as Latti & Anderson to get the compensation that you’re entitled to under maritime law.

Complex Laws Govern Merchant Seaman Injury Compensation

Compensation for merchant seamen who are injured in a maritime setting is governed by a complex set of overlapping regulations and statutes, including:

• The Jones Act
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
• The Limitations of Liability Act
• The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
• The General Maritime and Admiralty Law
• The Admiralty Extension Act
• The Public Vessels Act
• State workers’ compensation laws

Determining which law applies to your injury requires a knowledgeable and experienced maritime lawyer. At the law firm of Latti & Anderson, we have been helping merchant seamen understand their rights to injury compensation for more than 45 years. We have secured many large settlements for merchant seaman injury--and have many high-profile successes under our belts.

Experienced in Using the Law to Your Advantage

If you or a family member is injured on a shipping vessel, it’s critical that you secure a qualified maritime attorney right away. The shipping companies will have their attorneys on the scene quickly to try to limit their liability. You need someone on your side who can represent you and protect your best interests against these large companies.

At Latti & Anderson, we have the experience and expertise to apply the right law to your situation to ensure the largest compensation for your claim. Contact us for a free initial consultation and let us use that experience to help you.