Jackson v. North Bank Towing Corp.

Warren Jackson appeals the dismissal of his foreign law tort claims for negligence and maintenance and cure. Concluding that the Jones Act, 46 U,S.C.App. § 688, does not prohibit maritime claims brought pursuant to foreign laws, we reverse and remand.

I

Jackson, a non-resident alien and citizen of Honduras, was employed as a seaman by North Bank Towing Corporation, a Louisiana corporation, aboard MW MARTHA EUGENIA, owned and operated by J. Ray McDermott, Inc. (with North Bank, collectively “defendants”). Jackson was injured when he fell aboard the vessel while it was engaged in offshore oil and…