28 USC § 1916 - Seamen’s suits

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t28/s1916"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "28 USC § 1916 - Seamen’s suits"
title_number: 28
title_name: "JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "1916"
section_name: "Seamen’s suits"
chapter_number: 123
chapter_name: "FEES AND COSTS"
part_number: "V"
part_name: "PROCEDURE"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 955.)"
---


# § 1916. Seamen’s suits

In all courts of the United States, seamen may institute and prosecute suits and appeals in their own names and for their own benefit for wages or salvage or the enforcement of laws enacted for their health or safety without prepaying fees or costs or furnishing security therefor.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 955.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 837 (, ; , ).

Changes in phraseology were made.