Are barge tankermen and other barge and dredge workers covered by the Jones Act or maritime law?
Question: I worked on a barge as a tankerman (or other type of barge worker) and got injured. What law covers m
y injuries and what type of money damages can I expect?
Answer: Thank you for your question.
There are two parts to the answer to this question. The first is what law covers your case, and the second is what 
damages (i.e., money) can you expect to recover for injuries that happened on a barge.
If you are a tankerman, you are most likely covered by the Jones Act. If you are a captain or member of the crew of the vessel, you are most likely covered by the Jones Act.
However, if you were working on the barge only temporarily, things get more complicated. If, for example, you were simply doing contracted maintenance work, you may NOT be covered by the Jones Act. This does not mean you don't have any legal remedy. It just means your case is more complicated, and you really should talk to an experienced Jones Act attorney.
With respect to damages under the Jones Act, you are entitled to maintenance and cure if you were hurt during your employment.
If you can prove some negligence on the part of the shipowner or operator, or your fellow employees, or that the vessel was "unseaworthy," you may also be entitled to the following money damages:
1. Lost wages, both past and future;
2. Pain and suffering, past and future;
3. Impairment, past and future;
4. Mental anguish, past and future;
5. Disfigurement, past and future;
6. Loss of enjoyment of life, past and future.
However, to recover these types of damages in a Jones Act case requires an attorney who knows what he or she is doing.
Read the articles below to learn more about maritime injury cases and request a free copy of Mr. Beckcom's book if you want a more in-depth discussion of what really happens in these cases.
Injured Offshore? Helpful resources and articles
Do you have a Jones Act or maritime injury case? The Jones Act and Maritime Attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. have successfully handled all types of maritime injury and Jones Act cases.
Before you talk to the company or any insurance adjusters, before you give a recorded statement, and before you choose the wrong attorney for your case, request a copy of Mr. Beckcom's book and read this list of helpful articles.
Interested in learning more about really happens in a maritime injury case?
Click here to request a copy of the "Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case"
To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:
www.vbattorneys.com
www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com
www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com
If you want to know more about offshore injury claims, please take a moment to read the following articles:
1. How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case
2. How much is my Jones Act, maritime injury, or offshore injury case worth?
3. What is the Jones Act?
4. How to wreck your Jones Act case
5. Financial Insecurity and Wrongful Termination - Two Fears After a Maritime Injury
6. What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?
7. The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
8. The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.
9. What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore
10. What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time
11. Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?"
12. Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim?
13. What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit.
14. 6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea
15. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.
16. I was injured on a cruise ship - What are my legal rights?
About our law firm
Brian Beckcom handles Jones Act, maritime injury, and other offshore injury cases. If you want to find out more about our law firm and the types of cases we handle, please visit our Maritime Injury Law practice area page on our main website.
Or, you can send a message to Mr. Beckcom by using the Contact form on this website.
