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The Jones Act: Maritime Law

The Jones Act is a maritime law (or rather, a set of laws) that establishes the right of certain individuals to recover compensation for injuries from their employer. "Maritime law" (also known as admiralty law) is the branch of law dealing with commerce and transportation at sea around the world. The Jones Act lays out specific definitions regarding circumstances that will and will not be covered by Jones Act law.

The Employee, the Location, the Employer and More

Very generally, the Jones Act applies to individuals who are injured while working at sea or while working in a job that contributes to a voyage. Specific details concerning the following may have a great deal of influence on the outcome of a Jones Act lawsuit:

the individual worker's job duties
the type of vessel involved
his or her location when the injury occurred (e.g., distance from shore)
whether the employer is considered a "Jones Act employer"
the liability of the employer for the injury, and that of the individual

It is also likely that an employer and its maritime insurance company will contest a Jones Act claim for damages (compensation). Some law firms focus solely on representing the legal and financial interests of employers and insurers.

The Jones Act and Maritime Law

The Jones Act itself is one of the more complicated fields of law. However, it is only one part of maritime law, which deals with all matters relating to maritime activities, commerce, shipping, and the sailors, passengers and goods that travel by sea. Law firms that practice maritime law are also quite familiar with the Jones Act.

The Jones Act and Asbestos

Many people who worked aboard sea-going vessels have been exposed to toxic levels of asbestos, the mineral that can cause deadly respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is especially true of seamen and other maritime workers who were active before the 1980s, when asbestos-use limitations were finally implemented.

The ravages of asbestos poisoning among maritime workers — including many Navy veterans — have manifested as an avalanche of mesothelioma and lung cancer cases. The Jones Act may be an appropriate legal vehicle for some asbestos victims seeking compensation for their damages (such as medical bills, loss of ability to work, and loss of a loved one to asbestos-caused cancer).

Because of the complexity of Jones Act cases, it is essential to hire an attorney who has extensive experience with handling these types of cases. For more information about Jones Act remedies and maritime law, contact us to speak with a Jones Act lawyer today.

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