San Diego Maritime Law FAQs
- What is the statute of limitations for maritime injuries under the Jones Act?
- What is an unseaworthiness claim?
- How do I know if I am covered by the Jones Act?
What is the statute of limitations for maritime injuries under the Jones Act?
Under the Jones Act, injured sailors have the right to pursue compensation from their employers for injuries caused by negligence on the part of ship owners, captains, or crew. However, there is a three-year statute of limitations placed on these types of claims, meaning that a sailor may not seek compensation for injuries after three years has passed following the injury. For sailors on government vessels, the statute of limitations is two years.
If you would like to know more about the statute of limitations for maritime injuries, or to file a claim, contact the San Diego maritime law attorneys of Ritter & Associates today at (619) 296-0123.
What is an unseaworthiness claim?
The owners of commercial seafaring vessels have a duty to their crewmembers to ensure that their ship is seaworthy, meaning that it is appropriately fitted for use on the sea. If a sailor suffers injuries due to the vessel owner’s failure to keep their ship in seaworthy condition, they may be entitled to pursue an unseaworthiness claim against the owner.
If you would like to know more about the details of unseaworthiness claims and whether you may qualify to file such a claim, contact the San Diego maritime lawyers of Ritter & Associates today at (619) 296-0123.
How do I know if I am covered by the Jones Act?
The Jones Act provides sailors who have suffered injury in the course of their employment the right to pursue financial compensation for their pain and suffering. In order to qualify for Jones Act protection, a sailor must spend more than 30% of their working time working for a vessel on navigable waters. Furthermore, the vessel must not have been removed from navigation.
If you would like to know more about the details of pursuing compensation under the Jones Act, or to file a claim following an injury, contact the San Diego maritime law attorneys of Ritter & Associates at (619) 296-0123 today.
Share Your Story with Us
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident while at sea or even just in a shipyard, please contact the attorneys of Ritter & Associates today today for help. Call us at (619) 296-0123 to discover more about your legal options.
Learn more about maritime law on our maritime law practice area page.
