Fourth Circuit Denies LHWCA Attorney’s Fees Because Compensation Was Paid Within 30 Days

In a new, important Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”) decision, the Fourth Circuit addressed Section 928(a) attorney’s fees and the meaning of... More

Plaintiff-Seaman Can’t Recover Emotional Damages For Witnessing Injury To Someone Else

Plaintiff worked as a vessel repair supervisor at his employer’s shipyard facility.   His primary responsibility was the maintenance and repair of Employer’s life boats. ... More

Fifth Circuit Holds that Carrier Has Right of Reimbursement Against a Jones Act Settlement

In a new published decision, the Fifth Circuit addressed “whether an insurer who makes voluntary [Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”)] payments to... More

Dock Owners Liability

Boarding and disembarking from vessels. Without a second thought, mariners do it day in and day out – – most of the time without... More

HIPAA and the Longshore Act

Part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) addresses patient privacy.  Certain procedures must be followed when sensitive health information is transferred,... More

Alabama: Prior Longshore Settlement Not Determinative of Seaman Status

Purdue and Williams worked as line handlers for a shipping company that provided line-handling services to vessels docking and undocking at various terminals in... More

Failing to Participate in Proceedings Justified Dismissal With Prejudice

Plaintiffs, Atlantic Sounding and Weeks Marine, filed a declaratory judgment action seeking a declaration that they did not owe Maurice Fendlason, an injured seaman-employee,... More

9th Circuit: If Attorney Fees are Reduced More Than 30% the District Court Must Explain Why

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently addressed another attorney fee dispute in a Longshore claim.  The Claimant submitted a fee... More

Course & Scope of Employment

By its terms the Jones Act, which provides seamen with their right to bring suit against their employer for injuries sustained, the injury must... More

First Circuit Reverses Summary Judgment on Foreseeability Issue

Plaintiff filed suit against Defendant under the Jones Act and general maritime law after her husband fell and drowned after slipping from an obviously... More