The Jones Act and Maritime Injuries / Accidents
A common scenario in my office is for a client to walk to our first meeting, having been injured in some sort of offshore accident, and ask me to explain the "Jones Act". Or they ask me whether they have a "Jones Act" case.
Or the client asks me about the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act.
All of these questions are answered in my book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case." The book sells for $29.99 but I give it free to my firm's clients and prospective clents because I want them to have the information the book contains.
Here's a very brief discussion about the Jones Act and the Longshore Act:
The Jones Act
The Jones Act applies only to "seaman." To qualify as a "seaman," you must contribute the function of the vessel and be a member of her crew. You can read a short article about seaman status by clicking here.
The definition of "seaman" and "vessel" is a lot broader than most people probably realize. I've represented welders on jack-up drilling rigs, cooks on offshore platforms, roughnecks and roustabouts on semi-submersibles, drillers on oil rigs in the North Sea, boat captains, deckhands, and countless other workers.
In order to determine (in most cases) if you are a Jones Act seaman, you need an attorney with a lot of experience in Jones Act cases. Most lawyers will never handle a Jones Act case during their entire career.
The Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
The Longshore Act covers "Longshoreman" and "Harbor Workers." In other words, workers who aren't seaman but may be worker near the water.
The classic example of the Longshoreman is a dockworker who loads and unloads ships. While they may work on the ship at times, and over the water, dockworkers aren't Jones Act seaman and can't bring Jones Act cases.
Conclusion
In most situations, you are better off from a purely legal standpoint if you can qualify as a Jones Act seaman. However, most attorneys know absolutely nothing about how to ensure that you qualify as such, so make sure you find an attorney who knows how to handle these cases or you may literally be giving up a claim worth tens, hundreds, or even millions of dollars,
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.
