Jones Act

Injured Seamen & Maritime Workers

At The Doan Law Firm, P.C., the personal injury attorneys offer legal representation to seamen, sailors, and maritime workers who have suffered an injury while working on a vessel. Depending on the extent of the injuries, one may no longer be able to work, which will compromise their financial stability and ability to care for their loved ones. Furthermore, a truly debilitating injury, such as a spinal cord injury, paralysis, or brain damage, can significantly reduce one's quality of life for years to come. If you or a loved one has suffered any type of injury while working on a boat, ship, barge, or water vessel, it's in your best interest to contact an experienced injury lawyer at the firm. The attorneys can aggressively advocate your rights to recovery under the Jones Act and help you seek the compensation you deserve.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act, was adopted by Congress in 1920 to protect maritime workers. Under the Jones Act, maritime workers who suffer an injury due to the negligence of the owner of the vessel or their captain or fellow crew members have the right seek damages for their injuries. Unlike other types of workers, maritime workers do not have the right to workers' compensation benefits, thus the need to create a law that protects maritime workers who suffered an injury while on the job. The Jones Act allows injured maritime workers to sue the owner of the ship or vessel to secure compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, decreased quality of life, and any other hardship associated with the injury.

Seamen's Injuries

Under the Jones Act, a seaman is required to prove negligence or fault by the vessel's owners, operators, officers, or crew or that his injuries were caused by a defect in the vessel itself, its gear, or equipment, which violates the owner's absolute duty to provide a seaworthy vessel. A seaworthy vessel must be fit and safe in its hull, gear, appliances, and more as applied to the purpose for which the vessel is intended. Under the Jones Act, only seamen can recover compensation for damages. This includes anyone assigned to work on any type of vessel or a fleet of vessels, including freighters, tankers, commercial fishing vessels, tugs, barges, and other boats. Generally, any seaman spending more than thirty percent of his time on a vessel that is actively operating can be categorized as a Jones Act seaman.

Contact Our Firm Today

If you are interested in learning more about your legal rights and options under the Jones Act, please do not hesitate to contact a lawyer at The Doan Law Firm. P.C. An attorney at the firm will review the circumstances of your accident or injury, inform you of your legal rights, and help you exercise the rights bestowed to you under the Jones Act. You can trust your attorney to work diligently on your behalf and provide you with the experienced and dedicated legal counsel you need during such an unsettling time.