Compensation from a Jones Act Case

June 3, 2019

The Jones Act makes it possible for seamen to sue their employer for compensation for certain on-the-job injuries. From captain to crewmember, the Jones Act is an important means of getting compensation when your injury prevents you from working. It is an especially vital law for families living in Kentucky and Indiana, where attorney Karl Truman and our team handle Jones Act cases regularly.

What is the Jones Act?

Also known as the Merchant Marine Act, the Jones Act was passed by Congress in 1920. This law requires that, for boats shipping goods from one port in the U.S. to another port in the U.S., those boats must be owned, operated and built by the U.S. and run by American crews. It protects an industry vital to our American heritage and a long-standing livelihood in our region of the country.

The Jones Act also includes a provision pertaining to injury compensation. Most maritime workers are barred from traditional Workers’ Compensation programs. A serious injury can have a big impact on your life and livelihood. If it was caused by the negligence of your employer, then you can sue them in a claim handled by our attorneys. Damages recovered in a successful claim may include :

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain, mental anguish and suffering

In order to prevail, the injured worker must show that negligence led to the injury. Here are a few examples of negligence that arises in these cases:

• Inadequate training
• Deck that is in disrepair
• Uncleaned oil or slippery substance on the deck
• Equipment in disrepair
• Inadequate safety equipment
• Careless coworkers
• Unsafe work protocols

The above are only a few examples. Who is covered and what is covered under the Jones Act can be quite unclear to an injured worker who doesn’t normally deal with this type of situation. Our attorneys deal with it often and they can determine if you have a case. If you do, they’ll let you know your options and what will be required of you. Our goal is to obtain the best possible results for you while you focus on healing.

Qualifying for the Jones Act

Many professionals and workers are covered under this law, including:

• Crew members
• Captains
• Deckhands
• Stewards
• Cooks
• Engineers
• Pilots
• Drillers
• Divers

Call our law firm to find out if it applies to you. The Jones Act extends to part-time seamen who spend at least 30 percent of their working hours on navigable waters. Therefore, your offshore or vessel work must be on a vessel that is in navigation, not being constructed or built. A vessel getting repaired may still qualify under the Jones Act. The Jones Act covers ships, tugboats, fishing vessels, barges, dredges and more.

Find Out If You Are Owed Compensation

Call our experienced attorneys in Louisville and Jeffersonville to find out if you have a Jones Act maritime injury claim. Reach our law firm at 812-282-8500. You can also contact us by completing the form on this page. We provide a complimentary consultation so you can get clear, straightforward information – no risk or obligation involved.