Vessel Collisions: Prevention, Responsibility, and Filing a Jones Act Lawsuit
Injuries sustained in a collision between two vessels are infrequent, but when they do occur, they can be extremely serious. 
A collision with another vessel is a risk that is always present in the maritime industry. As our waterways get more congested, the risks of vessel collisions increase. When a collision does occur, it can leave workers severely injured and traumatized.
A vessel operator's failure to take proper steps to prevent a collision can be the basis for a Jones Act claim. Collisions are almost always preventable. 
Proper lookouts, use of technology designed to detect vessels, and the competence of crew members can prevent vessel collisions. If safety precautions like these are not taken and injuries occur, it is possible the employer may be held responsible.
A Jones Act seaman from Port Arthur filed a lawsuit against his maritime employer for injuries sustained when he fell out of his bunk bed during a vessel collision. On December 18, 2008, Christopher Loc Nguyen, who was working on the fishing vessel The Jennifer and David, was thrown violently from his bunk when the boat struck a barge and tugboat owned by Gulf Oceanic Marine Contractors Inc. According to the lawsuit, Nguyen sustained serious physical injuries. Nguyen also alleges that the bunk beds, on which the workers were sleeping, had no rails to prevent falls. According to the complaint, the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield right-of-way to the tugboat and barge, and there was no one at the helm of the fishing vessel at the time of the accident.
Since Jones Act claims are are a specialized branch of law, it is important to consult with an experienced Jones Act lawyer before you filing a claim.
