The Jones Act – Maritime Injury Law
The Jones Act- Injured Maritime Workers
The Jones Act is a federal cause of action, meaning that the United States Congress intended for all seaman’s injuries throughout the nation to be guided by the same liability standards of the Jones Act.
The Jones Act provides an injured seaman a remedy against his or her employers for injuries arising from negligent acts of the employer or co-workers during the course of employment on a ship or vessel.
An injured worker’s maritime claim under the Jones Act can also raise claims against a vessel’s owner that a dangerous condition existed on the vessel that made the vessel unseaworthy. If you are a crewman on a boat or vessel and were injured while working, you will be entitled to sue your employer for injuries caused by your employer’s negligence under a federal law called the Jones Act.
Under the provisions of the Jones Act, injured maritime workers and seamen injured while working in service to a ship in navigable waters are eligible to receive certain medical and financial benefits. Since the Jones Act covers work-related injuries caused by the negligence of an employer or ship owner, injured maritime workers can encounter difficulties when their employer denies any negligence or responsibility on their part. Benefits Owed Injured Maritime Workers Under the Jones Act.
Injured maritime workers are eligible to receive the following kinds of benefits under the terms of the Jones Act, regardless of whether an employer or ship owner is at fault. The Jones Act is a law enacted by Congress that provides protection to persons who are members of the crew of a ship or vessel.
The Jones Act applies to inland river workers as well as offshore workers who work on a jackup rig, semi-submersible ship or rig, barge, drill ship, tug / towboat, crew boat , drill ship, dredge, floating crane, tanker, cargo ship, fishing vessel, chemical ship, research vessel, construction barge, lay barge, motorized platform, diving vessel, cruise ship, recreational boat or other floating / movable structures.
Although the Jones Act protects seamen, it is not the same as workers’ compensation. In order for a worker to recover under the Jones Act, a worker must prove some negligence or fault on the part of the vessel’s owners, operators, officers, and/or fellow employees or by reason of any defect in the vessel, its gear, tackle, or equipment.
Offshore drilling rigs, drill ships, barges and other motorized structures which are moveable and which float from hole to hole semis and jackups , are considered vessels under the Jones Act. Individuals who have been injured at sea may file a claim under the Jones Act. Don’t let an employer intimidate or mislead you about the benefits owed you under the Jones Act.
To recover under the Jones Act, the injury must have occurred during the course of employment and the worker must prove seaman status. To be eligible for the Jones Act, an injured maritime worker must be more or less permanently assigned to a vessel or fleet of vessels in navigation; perform regular work while at sea; and/or aid in navigation of the vessel, contribute to the vessels function, or be in furtherance of the vessels mission.
Maritime and Jones Act- If You’ve Been Injured
If you have been injured and you believe that you fall under the protection of the Maritime Jones Act, the first thing you should do is to seek the advice of an experienced “Maritime Attorney"
The Jones Act – Maintenance & Cure
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 is one of three congressional laws commonly referred to as the “Jones Act”.
Jones Act Jones Act is online now.
