Jones Act Attorney

Are you pursuing a Jones Act claim?

A specialized branch of admiralty law, the Jones Act protects any United States citizen, working as a seaman, who suffers personal injury or illness due to unseaworthiness or negligence during the course of their employment aboard a vessel operating in navigable waters. While a Jones Act claim is usually filed for cases similar to workers' compensation (e.g. workplace injury, illness, or wrongful death), a Jones Act settlement is usually far greater both in terms of the scope of what is covered as well as actual dollars awarded to an injured worker or their family.

Working as a seaman in the maritime industry is a high-risk occupation. Heavy loads, large equipment, seaworthiness of a vessel, and difficult conditions can all contribute to the elevated risk. When an injury does occur, emergency aid is often days away. Due to all these factors, a maritime injury can be much more serious than a similar incident occurring on land. The Jones Act was created, in part, to offer relief to injured workers in the maritime industry and to help ensure they receive appropriate care and full compensation for their injuries.

Maritime Lawyer – Protecting Injured Seaman

If unseaworthiness of a vessel or any negligence on the part of the ship owner, captain, or other crew contributed to an accident in any way, the cash settlement of a Jones Act case is often considerably larger than either a comparable workers' compensation case occurring on land or the maintenance and cure benefits offered under general maritime law. A Jones Act settlement may include compensation for lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, physical pain, suffering and disfigurement, mental anguish, medical care, and even cost of living expenses while the injured or ill seaman is recovering.

If you have recently been injured while offshore, it is important that you have a injury lawyer on your side who is well-versed in the Jones Act and other pieces of maritime law. At Arnold & Itkin, LLP, we recognize the importance of these types of claims. We are prepared to go the distance in our efforts to help our clients obtain the best outcome possible – fighting for the just outcome that they deserve. Call today to learn more.

Contact an offshore injury attorney from our firm for help in making sure you receive the full benefit of your Jones Act claim.