Protecting Maritime Workers Under the Jones Act
A century after it was passed, the Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, continues to be one of the most important laws for offshore workers. Not only does the Jones Act hold negligent employers accountable for preventable accidents, but it helps workers recover from them. Importantly, it also helps to ensure that more accidents to hurt or kill others.
At Arnold & Itkin, we’re proud to be a Port Arthur Jones Act law firm that’s known for helping offshore workers get the compensation they need to move forward after an accident.
WHO IS COVERED BY THE JONES ACT?
The Jones Act covers any worker who contributes to the function or mission of an American vessel in navigable waters. To be considered a Jones Act seaman, a worker needs to spend at least one-third of their time on the vessel and contributing to its mission. This may include captains, mates, engineers, deckhands, fishermen, sailors, or others who work on fishing vessels, barges, tugboats, dive boats, supply boats, cruise ships, crew boats, dredgers, pile drivers, and offshore oil platform service boats. Notably, the Jones Act also applies to vessels such as jack-up oil rigs, semisubmersible rigs, drilling ships, barges, and more.
IS THE JONES ACT THE SAME AS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?
No. In the past, injured workers could receive compensation for their wages, boarding, and the cost of medical care until they reached maximum recovery. This is traditionally known as maintenance and cure. However, maintenance and cure failed to provide compensation for the complete scope of a worker’s injuries—that’s where the Jones Act comes in. Using the Jones Act, a worker can seek compensation for the full extent of their losses as long as their accident was caused by the negligence of another party. In other words, it covers much more than a portion of a person’s wages and their medical care. Under the Jones Act, a worker can secure compensation for things such as medical debt, lost wages, the cost of future care, pain and suffering, and the lost ability to work.
HOW MUCH DOES HIRING A JONES ACT LAWYER IN PORT ARTHUR COST?
Hiring a Port Arthur Jones Act lawyer from our firm costs nothing upfront. We only collect a payment if we secure results for our clients. Importantly, we cover all costs associated with a person’s case. From court fees to investigative expenses, our clients don’t have to be worried about the financial burden of their case. We do this because it makes our services attainable and stress-free.
When Maritime Workers Need Help, They Deserve Arnold & Itkin
At Arnold & Itkin, we’ve earned a reputation for getting the results that offshore workers need, no matter how difficult the challenge. As experienced maritime lawyers, we’re prepared to handle the complexities of cases involving offshore accidents and large companies. Since we’re committed to helping our clients rebuild, we never back down from the fight.
A few of our notable maritime cases include:
- We represented over one-third of the Deepwater Horizon crew and secured the results they needed after surviving one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history
- Our team represented three widows who lost their husbands after the El Faro was recklessly sent into a storm and sunk.
- We secured $29 million for a family grieving the loss of a loved one after an offshore accident—the largest known settlement for a maritime wrongful death.
- When a worker was injured on an inland barge, we secured a $14 million Jones Act settlement on their behalf just two days before trial was supposed to begin.
- We’ve recovered hundreds of settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more for injured seamen, their families, and people who’ve lost a loved one out at sea.
Injuries sustained by offshore workers are often more than scrapes and bruises that will heal in days. They often require extensive medical treatment, are incredibly painful, and frequently mean the person who has them won’t be able to work as the once did. At Arnold & Itkin, our mission is to make sure injured workers have the compensation they need from the parties that caused them to lose so much.
Fighting for what’s right means helping people rebuild their lives. That’s exactly what makes every case personal to us. We’re ready for the challenge because offshore workers deserve a team that will be there for them, no matter what.
Get Help from a Port Arthur Maritime Law Firm Recognized for Results
Maritime law isn’t simple. After an accident, applying it can be difficult because the companies involved with one are often powerful, wealthy, and have an army of lawyers ready to make excuses for what happened. Our firm has the resources to stand up against these tactics. Importantly, we also have the fight to never give up—even when the other side is doing everything it can to escape responsibility.
We’ve handled cases involving significant maritime laws including:
We’ve even fought the attempts of ship owners that try to use the Limitation of Liability Act to protect their interests at the cost of grieving families. In short, we’ve seen the other side’s tactics, we know how to fight them, and we’re ready to help you today.
Call us today at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation with our Port Arthur maritime law firm to find out how we can fight for the recovery that you need to rebuild your life.