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Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law to protect seamen if they are injured while employed on a boat, ship, or other vessel. An experienced Jones Act lawyer will tell you that a "seaman" is any sea-based employee that can be called a "master or a member of a vessel's crew" and who makes some contribution to the ship's work.
It doesn't matter if you're a deckhand or the captain, if your Jones Act claims fall under this law, our legal team can recover damages from the owner of the vessel and from your employer.
Under maritime law, a vessel owner is responsible for maintaining a seaworthy vessel. Injury claims are often based on the unseaworthiness of that vessel. This "theory of recovery" (a term from contract law that means worker can reasonably rely on their employer to provide a safe work environment) is of substantial benefit to you, as the vessel owner has a "non-delegable" duty to provide you with a safe place to work. The cases we handle frequently involve the negligence of the crew aboard a ship, a defect in the vessel, or malfunctioning equipment aboard the vessel.
Eligibility for recovery under the Jones Act is for "any seaman." According to applicable case law, the injured worker must have been assigned to a vessel or a fleet of vessels. This doesn't always mean a barge or a boat; in fact, workers aboard some fixed platforms and other types of offshore drilling rigs (including jack-ups, drill ships and submersible rigs) may be eligible to recover settlements under the Jones Act.. Our legal team will discuss your employment and work duties and assignments with you to determine if you are eligible for "seaman status" under the Jones Act. If you are, we will work to win recovery maintenance and cure benefits. This means you will receive a daily payment to cover your expenses and be provided with medical treatment at the vessel owner's expense.
If you are severely injured while working in the Gulf of Mexico and/or on the waterways of Louisiana aboard vessels of every kind, we can help you. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.
