Jones Act
College Station Maritime Injury Lawyers
What is the Jones Act?
Maritime jobs are inherently dangerous, ranking at the top of the list of deadliest careers in the U.S. each year. When a seaman is injured while on the job, claims for damages are governed by federal Maritime Law. In 1920, Congress passed the Merchant Marine Act to protect the Merchant Marines and other sailors while working at sea. The legislation became known as the Jones Act because it was sponsored by Senator Wesley Jones. The Jones Act opened up an avenue of recovery previously unavailable for sailors injured on the job. Before the passage of the Act, seamen experienced difficulty recovering damages for their medical bills, living expenses, and lost wages while recovering from an illness or injury.
What can I recover for my injuries?
Jones Law Firm, P.C., is an experienced Jones Act law firm that represents workers who are injured while employed on a vessel at sea. A vessel may be any type of the following:
- Ship
- Oil rig
- Barge
- Cruise ship
- Recreational boat or yacht
- Floating crane
- Tanker
Under the Jones Act, qualifying workers are entitled to reimbursement for the costs of basic living and medical expenses while they are recovering from an injury or illness. The Act allows for the recovery of transportation, maintenance, cure, and unearned wage benefits for crew members injured on the job. “Maintenance” is defined as the value of the daily room and board the crew member would have received if he or she had remained aboard the vessel, and begins to accrue from the date the worker leaves the vessel and continues until he or she receives maximum medical health. “Cure” refers to the payment of medical expenses until the crew member attains a state of maximum medical cure – the point after which medical treatment will no longer improve the worker’s condition.
The Jones Act also allows for the payment of unearned wages that the seaman would have earned if he or she had remained aboard the vessel until the end of the contract period. If the injury is the result of the employer’s negligence, the crew member may also sue for pain and suffering or punitive damages. The Jones Act allows injured crew members to collect greater payments than they would receive through standard workers' compensation. Throughout the years, the Act has been expanded to include injuries that occur in international waters, involve foreign vessels, or are incurred by foreign workers.
Contact a College Station Jones Act Attorney
Maritime Law is extremely complex and requires the assistance of an attorney experienced in litigating Jones Act claims. Before filing a claim for a violation of the Jones Act, it is important to consult a qualified Maritime Law attorney to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. The experienced attorneys at Jones Law Firm, P.C., can evaluate the extent of your injuries and assist you with your claim. We offer a free, no obligation consultation regarding your Jones Act injury case. Call Jones Law Firm, P.C., at (979) 823-7300 or contact us online.
The Texas injury lawyers at Jones Law Firm, P.C., handle all types of personal injury, FELA, and Jones Act cases in Bryan, College Station, Houston, Navasota, Brenham, Madisonville, Calvert, Huntsville, Centerville, Buffalo, Franklin, Rockdale, Giddings and Caldwell and throughout the state of Texas. Call Jones Law Firm, P.C., at (979) 823-7300 or fill out a free case consultation form to have your case reviewed by an experienced Bryan, TX injury attorney today.
