Losing a loved one at sea is a devastating experience that is compounded by the intricate legal landscape surrounding maritime incidents. This is because these incidents are often shrouded in secrecy, difficult to investigate and maritime law is often complicated and confusing. And, you should not have to deal with any of this while you are grappling with such a loss. The Death on the High Seas Act Enacted in 1920 by the United States Congress, the DOHSA stands as a beacon of legal recourse for families affected by maritime tragedies. This legislation provides a framework for pursuing civil cl ..read more

Once your business is up and running, you would probably love for it to always run smoothly. But California businesses often find themselves in business disputes that must be resolved. Disputes can occur for various reasons and involve issues with different parties, including clients, customers, vendors or shareholders. Many business disputes involve a breach of a business contract. Benefits of mediation Before heading to court, you may want to consider mediation to resolve your business dispute. Mediation is typically less expensive and quicker than traditional litigation. Since strong relati ..read more

California businesses are increasingly investing in new strategies to ship their products with a limited impact on the planet. Still, adapting to the new landscape can be complicated and with new transportation laws going into effect, businesses need to be ready. For example, companies are using electric trucks for transport more frequently. To comply with upcoming changes to the law, it is essential for companies to have a plan in place and know how to prepare financially and logistically. California laws will change the transportation industry By 2035, trucks that transport cargo from ports ..read more

The Jones Act provides extensive financial coverage for injuries suffered by those who work on the high seas. Prior to the passage of the Jones Act, seamen received no financial protection for injuries suffered during the course of their work. After passage of the Jones Act in 1920, a seaman who is injured on the navigable waters of the United States is eligible for financial compensation for injuries suffered while they are working. Coverage under the Jones Act is not automatic. An injured seaman must report the injury to the captain of the vessel or the seaman’s supervising officer within se ..read more

In California’s bustling maritime sector, the specter of cyber threats looms large, even if you may not know it. Cybersecurity poses significant risks to operations, trade and data integrity. With a surge in attacks targeting vital maritime infrastructure, from navigation systems to cargo security, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more pressing. Regulatory bodies Regulatory bodies like the International Maritime Organization have underscored the urgency of integrating cybersecurity into safety protocols. They highlight the imperative for compliance to protect the flow ..read more

Maritime license agreements are essential components of international trade, governing the relationships and terms between shipping companies, terminal operators and other parties involved in the maritime industry. These agreements ensure a competitive and reliable ocean transportation supply system, crucial for the global economy. What are maritime license agreements? Maritime license agreements are contracts that outline the terms and conditions under which shipping services are provided. They cover various activities, such as vessel sharing arrangements, terminal operations and fee discussi ..read more

If you’ve been in business for a while, then you know that you need to be careful when you negotiate and sign off on business contracts. A seemingly minor mistake in the process can lead to serious ramifications for you and your business, including lost revenues and damage to your reputation. The same holds true if you’ve been accused of breaching a contract. So, if you’ve been accused of failing to adhere to the terms of a contract, then you need to know how to properly defend yourself. Defense strategies when facing breach of contract allegations The specific defense that you implement in yo ..read more

While California ports have had their share of problems in recent years, including labor disputes and shipping bottlenecks, a major port on the East Coast has been rocked by allegations of unfair competition. The Port of Philadelphia has expanded in recent years, and business is booming. However, a group of trucking companies claims that state officials have given preferential treatment to one company, Holt Logistics, allowing it to prevent other businesses from gaining a greater foothold in the market. Pennsylvania has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building new infrastructure for the ..read more

When you’re injured on a vessel in navigable waters, then you might qualify for benefits under the Jones Act. However, unless you can prove negligence, the compensation that you recover pursuant to this law are limited in scope. Practically speaking, you’ll only be able to recover money for maintenance and cure, which only help cover your medical expenses and your day-to-day living expenses. If you can prove that your employer was negligent, though, then you open the possibility of recovering additional damages. In those instances, you need to think about taking additional maritime personal in ..read more

A Limited Liability Company, or LLC, is one of several types of a business structures available to business owners who are just starting out. An LLC has several advantages, included liability protection for business owners and pass-through taxation. If you have chosen to make your business an LLC in California, there are several steps you must take. One of the main steps of the process involves filing the articles of organization for your LLC with the Secretary of State’s office. What information should be included? The purpose of articles of organization is to provide information about your b ..read more