Page 26: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (May/Jun 2026)

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LEGAL BEAT THE DELEGATION CLAUSE © ymgerman/AdobeStock

Hill v. Jackson Offshore

THE DELEGATION CLAUSE

A Key Locking the Courthouse Doors Unless

Precisely and Appropriately Targeted

By Chris Hamilton, Spencer Fane LLP he U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s and cure, plus an apartment and full wages to complete

May 2026 ruling in Hill v. Jackson Offshore1 out-patient therapies, all totaling over $100,000 in supple- makes it clear: broadly challenging an arbitra- mental benefts above what was mandated under the law. tion agreement won’t get you into court. If However, Jackson Offshore’s CEO also allegedly warned

T there’s a delegation clause, you must aim directly at it Hill that retaining a lawyer would necessarily end the addi- frst and separately. tional support. Six months later, in exchange for continu- ing to receive those supplemental benefts, Hill signed an

Advance Wage and Benefts Agreement containing both

What Happened

Seaman Jeremiah Hill was severely injured on an off- arbitration and delegation clauses. Hill later sued, claim- shore supply vessel in April 2023. During recovery, Jack- ing fraud and economic duress in signing the agreement, son Offshore’s CEO provided the required maintenance asking a federal district court to void the agreement and its 26 OFFSHORE ENGINEER OEDIGITAL.COM