100% Free Consultation (888) 493-1629

Maritime Injury FAQ

When Can I File an Unseaworthiness Claim?

Maritime workers making a claim under the Jones Act may also be eligible to make an unseaworthiness claim. An injured seaman can file unseaworthiness claims for injuries that result due to unsafe conditions on a vessel. Those unsafe conditions can range from tools and equipment that are not properly maintained and slippery work surfaces, to crews that are too small and co-workers who have a tendency toward violence and assault. Unseaworthiness, therefore, covers an entire range of conditions that workers may not always be aware of.

A vessel owner is required to provide a seaworthy vessel. In simple terms, this means a vessel:

  • Is in a reasonably fit condition for the purpose for which it is intended
  • Has safe and properly functioning equipment and tools
  • Has safe work surfaces and other work conditions
  • Provides sufficient safety devices, fire fighting systems, and life saving equipment to all crewmembers
  • Provides safe working conditions
  • Provides enough crew members
  • Provides competent and experienced crewmembers

Maritime lawyers may represent Jones Act seamen who were injured as a result of: slippery or greasy surfaces, assault by a drunk crewmember, the negligence of an incompetent crew member, slipping and falling from a defective ladder, lifting equipment too heavy for them, or an illness exacerbated because there were not sufficient medical supplies on board. These are just some examples of the kind of injuries that can result in an unseaworthiness claim against an employer.

Unseaworthiness claims may be pursued in addition to a separate Jones Act claims by seamen. Call (888) 493-1629 to learn your options from a record-breaking law firm.

Case Results

Check Out Our Victories

  • $8 Billion Top 3 Largest Jury Verdict in U.S. History Arnold & Itkin tried a case against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn about a drug’s most damaging side effects: gynecomastia. Our skill, hard work, and dedication resulted in the third-largest jury verdict ever obtained for an individual ...
  • $860 Million History-Making Verdict After Fatal Crane Accident Arnold & Itkin took up the case of a woman who lost her daughter after a crane collapsed on her daughter’s apartment building. After nearly four years of delays, the defendant was forced to take responsibility.
  • $557 Million Massive Verdict Won Against Union Pacific Arnold & Itkin won a half-a-billion-dollar verdict against one of the nation’s largest rail companies after train operators mercilessly struck our client despite knowing she was on the tracks.
  • $357 Million Largest Workplace Accident Settlement in Texas History Arnold & Itkin LLP secured a massive nine-figure settlement against a transnational corporation for a workplace incident. The settlement set a Texas record for being the largest personal injury settlement in the state’s history.
  • $222 Million Record-Breaking Verdict for Widow Our firm won $222 million for a woman who lost her husband in an industrial accident caused by a faulty valve. We took the case to trial because the at-fault company refused to take responsibility. The jury saw through the corporate lies and double ...
  • $205 Million Confidential Settlement Obtained for Numerous Clients Arnold & Itkin reached a record $205,000,000 settlement on behalf of clients after several years of hard-fought litigation. The case settled just before trial was set to begin.
  • $193 Million Settlement Won for Victims of Pipeline Explosion Offshore injury lawyers at Arnold & Itkin fought for two workers who were injured in a pipeline explosion at sea, one of whom passed away. Our relentless investigation and advocacy resulted in a nine-figure settlement that will provide for our ...
  • $171 Million One of the Largest Confidential Settlements in History Arnold & Itkin worked over the course of several years to represent clients in a case that many other law firms turned down. In the end, we were able to obtain a record-setting confidential settlement.
  • $139 Million Massive Settlement Achieved for Victims of an Oilfield Incident Arnold & Itkin LLP negotiated a huge $139,000,000 settlement for injured families affected by an oilfield incident in the eastern United States, settling one week before trial.
  • $125 Million Settlement Won for Widow of Dredge Worker Offshore lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP won a nine-figure settlement for a woman who lost her husband in a pipeline explosion. By pushing the case toward trial, our firm pressured the defendant into settling with our client, allowing her to rebuild ...
See All Results

I haven’t dealt with a whole lot of lawyers, but they make you feel like family, like you’re part of them. They keep you informed on what’s going on, and it was just a pleasant experience from what I expected originally.

Jason Work Accident Victim

Secure Your Future & Request a 100% Free Consultation

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • This isn't a valid email address.
    Please enter your email address.
  • This isn't a valid phone number.
    Please enter your phone number.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.