Maritime Injury Law & The Jones Act
Maritime Injury law & The Jones Act
Part 1 - The Jones Act
(Part 1 of a 5 Part Series on Maritime Injury and the Jones Act)
Offshore workers face particulary high risks of on-the-job-injury. Seaman working offshore live a life that is completely different in many respects from those working onshore. Seaman and offshore workers spends days, weeks, and even months at a time away from their families, away from medical help, and on the open ocean or other large bodies of water.
Fortunately, the law recognizes the special contributions, and special dangers, faced by maritime workers.
This is a brief discussion of the Jones Act and is the first in a five part series discussing maritime injuries and the Jones Act.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act permits injured seaman to seek money damages for on the job injuries. As any seaman knows, working offshore can be very dangerous. The Jones Act appreciates this fact, and Jones Act employers may be responsble for any negligence or unseaworthiness of their vessl.
Injured seamen also get maintenance and cure, which is payment for medical treatment and a small daily allowance for living expenses, even if there is no negligence, as a long as the injury occurred in the course and scope of the seaman's employment.
Injured seaman may recover past medical expenses, and future medical expenses, loss of income (both past and into the future), mental anguish, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and impairment.
Jones Act settlements can be very high. However, without experienced, expert legal help, an injured Jones Act seaman may get messed around by his employer and not get a reasonable and fair settlement, or, indeed, any settlement at all.
Part 1 - The Jones Act
(Part 1 of a 5 Part Series on Maritime Injury and the Jones Act)
Offshore workers face particulary high risks of on-the-job-injury. Seaman working offshore live a life that is completely different in many respects from those working onshore. Seaman and offshore workers spends days, weeks, and even months at a time away from their families, away from medical help, and on the open ocean or other large bodies of water.
Fortunately, the law recognizes the special contributions, and special dangers, faced by maritime workers.
This is a brief discussion of the Jones Act and is the first in a five part series discussing maritime injuries and the Jones Act.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act permits injured seaman to seek money damages for on the job injuries. As any seaman knows, working offshore can be very dangerous. The Jones Act appreciates this fact, and Jones Act employers may be responsble for any negligence or unseaworthiness of their vessl.
Injured seamen also get maintenance and cure, which is payment for medical treatment and a small daily allowance for living expenses, even if there is no negligence, as a long as the injury occurred in the course and scope of the seaman's employment.
Injured seaman may recover past medical expenses, and future medical expenses, loss of income (both past and into the future), mental anguish, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and impairment.
Jones Act settlements can be very high. However, without experienced, expert legal help, an injured Jones Act seaman may get messed around by his employer and not get a reasonable and fair settlement, or, indeed, any settlement at all.
About the Authoer
Brian Beckcom is a Houston-based attorney who is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Beckcom and his firm handle serious personal injury and wrongful death cases in Texas and across the nation. The firm has an active docket of maritime injury and death cases as well as Jones Act cases. Mr. Beckcom is a recognized expert in Jones Act and maritime law cases.
To learn more about the firm, please visit the firm's main website at www.vbattorneys.com or its dedicated maritime and Jones Act website, www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com.
Or call the firm toll free at 877.724.7800. Mr. Beckcom gives free legal consultations to injured offshore workers.
