Offshore Lawyers

Also referred to as Jones Act lawyers, offshore lawyers are personal injury attorneys who primarily represent injured maritime workers. Distinct from worker's compensation laws, the Jones Act includes a body of complicated law meant to specifically protect individuals who work on ships, oil rigs and other sea vessels.

Maritime workers include (but aren't limited to):

cruise ship employees
dock workers
ferry workers
fishermen and crabbers
longshoremen
oil workers
seamen and officers
technicians, electricians and engineers who work aboard sea vessels
tug and barge hands

In most cases, individuals have to spend at least 30 percent of their time in service of a vessel to qualify for protection under the Jones Act. The Jones Act may also be referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

Worker's Compensation versus the Jones Act

Worker's compensation refers to insurance that employers carry to protect employees in the event they are injured on the job. Offshore Law Attorney While worker's compensation laws vary from state to state, in most cases, settlements awarded via worker's compensation are typically small, as they only cover the cost of medical bills and lost wages.

In contrast, awards provided under the Jones Act law tend to:

be larger than those provided under worker's compensation
cover pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and impaired quality of life

Before filing worker's compensation claim, be sure to talk to an experienced offshore lawyer to see if you qualify for larger compensation amounts via the Jones Act.

How the Jones Act Works: Recovering Compensation for Jones Act Injuries

For a maritime worker to qualify for compensation via the Jones Act, (s)he has to prove that the negligence or recklessness of a vessel's owner, captain and/or crew was responsible for his or her injury.

Offshore lawyers regularly recover compensation for the following types of maritime injuries:

back and neck injuries
burns
crushing injuries
disfigurement
falls (including those resulting from slippery surfaces, collapse of structures, faulty equipment, etc.)
fractures
loss of limbs
permanent disabilities
traumatic brain injury

Following a Maritime Injury: Meeting with an Offshore Lawyer

It is essential that an injured seaman consult an offshore lawyer immediately following his/her injury to ensure the best possible outcome for the case.

Injured maritime workers can recover compensation for damages including but not limited to:

costly hospital bills
ongoing treatment costs
lost wages, inability to work
permanent disabilities
future costs of living
emotional pain and suffering

Have you or a loved one been injured while working in the maritime industry? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced offshore attorney who will evaluate your claim and help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back in order.

Offshore Injury Lawyers in U.S. Cities

Alabama Offshore Injury Lawyer
- Mobile Offshore Injury Lawyer
Louisiana Offshore Injury Lawyer
- New Orleans Offshore Injury Laywer
Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer
Mississippi Offshore Injury Lawyer
- Gulfport Offshore Injury Lawyer

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