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When maritime employees are injured on-the-job, the experienced lawyers at offshore law firms can help build cases and recover compensation for their injuries, medical bills and pain and suffering.
While worker's compensation laws are in place to protect workers in various industries, when it comes to maritime occupations, the Jones Act is the body of law that determines when injured seamen are legally entitled to settlements, as well as how much they deserve.
The Jones Act may also be referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. These laws were initially enacted to protect the rights of maritime employees and govern trade in U.S. waters. Over the decades, the Jones Act has been amended numerous times.
Because these laws are complicated, and because employers don't always have the employee's best interest in mind, it's vital that injured maritime workers meet with an experienced offshore lawyer who will use their experience and knowledge to obtain the best possible outcome in the case.
To be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act, an employee has to spend 30 percent of his time in service to some kind of sea vessel (i.e. an oil rig, a boat, a ship, a barge, etc.).
Most commonly, the Jones Act is used to protect the following types of maritime workers:
For an on-the-job injury to be covered by the Jones Act, the maritime employee has to be able to prove that a ship owner's, captain's or crew member's negligence or recklessness was responsible for the injury sustained.
Additionally, the Jones Act stipulates that:
Maritime employees can seek compensation for various types of injuries via the Jones Act. Some of the most common injuries covered include (but aren't limited to):
Those who choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit via the Jones Act can recover compensation for their:
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while at sea and you would like to learn more about your legal rights, contact us today. We will connect you with an experienced offshore lawyer in your area.
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