September 2017
Don’t Delay In Filing Suit!
As most of you know, the statute of limitations in a typical Jones Act injury case is three years. In other words, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the shipowner. However, in some cases this deadline is shorter. Most government ships have a two year statute of limitations. For example, if you are on a Navy ship operating under the Military Sealift Command (MSC), the deadline is two years from the date of injury. However in other cases involving government vessels, you must file a claim within 18 months of injury. It can be tricky to determine what timelines apply, and if you miss the deadline you will lose your right to recover.
Question From The Bridge
I was injured on a US Navy vessel two years ago. I contacted an attorney but he said my lawsuit was barred by the statute of limitations. I thought I had three years to file suit? What gives?
Mark F. in Vallejo .
Answer:
Dear Mark,
It sounds like your injury occurred on a government vessel, in which case a shorter time limit to file suit applies. These deadlines are strictly enforced by courts, and unfortunately if you miss these deadlines you likely have no recourse. If you are injured it is important to contact an experienced maritime attorney right away. In addition to blowing deadlines that completely block your case, there are other pitfalls that can harm your case if you delay.
Now Back In Oakland At
The Law Offices of Cavin and Marks, Jr.
428 Alice St., Suite 128
Oakland, CA 94607
About Our Law Firm
For more than four decades, merchant mariners, longshoremen, fishermen and harbor workers plying their trades at sea, on the docks, on our U.S. coastal waters and inland waterways have turned to the maritime law firm of Law Offices of Cavin and Marks, Jr. & Associates in Oakland. Today, we are proud to be recognized as one of the preeminent maritime law firms serving injured marine workers nationwide, as well as one of the most successful personal injury litigation firms serving victims of negligence in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the West Coast.
Team Approach To Every Personal Injury And Jones Act Claim
When you retain Law Offices of Cavin and Marks, Jr. & Associates for a Jones Act injury claim, or personal injury claim, you don’t get just one attorney, you get our entire team of dedicated professionals. Our attorneys offer more than 150 combined years of courtroom and negotiated claims settlement experience. We will represent your interests with unwavering dedication, speed and expertise.