Fifth Circuit Affirms OSHA Citations Against Mobile Services Rig Operator

In September 2013, a five-man crew was operating a mobile well-servicing rig in Hawkins, Texas.  An inspector for the Occupational Safety & Health Administration... More

Fifth Circuit Affirms “Take Nothing” Jury Verdict in Jones Act Suit

Plaintiff filed suit against his Jones Act employer, Cheramie Marine, L.L.C., alleging negligence and seeking maintenance and cure after an alleged injury on one... More

Benefits Review Board To Enforce Attorney Fee Petition Deadline

The Clerk of the Benefits Review Board (BRB) has issued a notice to the community that the Board has reviewed its policy concerning handling... More

Court Orders Sale of Seized Vessel Following Default and Unnecessary Delay

Judge Ivan Lemelle recently reinforced the old adage, “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” in a suit based upon the alleged breach... More

Punitive Damages Not Available For Failure To Pay Maintenance & Cure

In a case of first impression, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington has held that punitive damages for the... More

Death on Platform in State Waters May Be Within OCSLA Jurisdiction

A worker was killed on a platform located in Louisiana state waters when a pressurized valve blew, striking him in the head. The platform... More

Same Sex Spouse Can Recover Under DOHSA

In what appears to be a case of first impression, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has held a same... More

Longshore Act Penalties Increased For 2017

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment And Improvements Act of 2015 requires the Department of Labor to annually adjust its civil monetary penalty levels... More

District Court Allows Jones Act Matter to Proceed

Plaintiff filed a Jones Act complaint in United States District Court, Northern District of Mississippi. Plaintiff alleged that he was severely injured during a... More

Eastern District of Louisiana Excludes Pre-Trial Surveillance for Failure to Disclose

Plaintiff filed a Jones Act claim against several defendants, including barge drilling contractor, Baywater Drilling, LLC (“Baywater”) and oil services company Frank’s International, LLC... More