JONES ACT NEGLIGENCE

Doyle LLP Trial Lawyers has filed suit in Houston, Texas (Harris County District Court) against Blackwater Diving, LLC, alleging the Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness under general maritime law.

On July 28, 2016, the suit alleges that Blackwater Diving was negligent and its vessel, the Black Diver III, was unseaworthy.  The incident occurred during diving operations offshore Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. As Doyle LLP’s client was engaged in a diving operation, Blackwater Diving failed to provide proper equipment and monitoring of the sea conditions.  As a result, the vessel surged, pulling the diving line, and Doyle LLP’s client suffered a serious injury to his hand and fingers.

The suit seeks damages for lost wages, physical impairment, medical bills, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.  The suit also seeks punitive damages and attorney’s fees arising from the wrongful denial of maintenance and cure.The suit was brought under the Jones Act and general maritime law, seeking damages caused by negligence, unseaworthiness of the vessel, and the wrongful denial of maintenance and cure.  The Jones Act requires an employer to provide to its crewmembers (also called seamen) a reasonably safe place to work.  In addition, a Jones Act employer and vessel owner owe seamen a duty to provide a seaworthy vessel.  That is, the vessel must have a competent crew and be properly equipped and maintained.  In addition, the Jones Act requires a crewmember’s employer and vessel owner to provide maintenance and cure for injuries suffered on a vessel.  Maintenance is a daily rate that must be provided to compensate for room, board, and basic living expenses while a seaman is off duty.  Cure consists of the duty to pay medical bills for the injury.  Maintenance and cure must be paid until a crewmember reaches maximum cure.

Doyle LLP Trial Lawyers focuses its practice on cases involving offshore injuries on barges, tugs, drill ships, rigs, tankers, and various other kinds of vessels.  Doyle LLP Trial Lawyers has years of experience in resolving such cases by settlement and, when necessary, pursuing its client’s rights through a jury trial.  If you would like to read more about Doyle LLP’s trial successes in maritime injury, offshore injury, and Jones Act cases, please see our Significant Cases page.  If you or someone you know has suffered a Jones Act or offshore injury, an offshore injury lawyer at Doyle LLP is necessary to preserve your legal rights and ensure fair compensation.  Give us a call today.