A seaman injured in the course of employment or, if the seaman dies from the injury, the personal representative of the seaman may elect to bring a civil action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer. Laws of the United States regulating recovery for personal injury to, or death of, a railway employee apply to an action under this section.
(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006 120 Stat. 1510; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3521(a), Jan. 28, 2008 122 Stat. 596.)
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Baton Rouge Jones Act Lawyer
Baton Rouge Jones Act Attorney
Information & What To Do
Louisiana commercial fishermen, ferry operators, oil rig workers, and other seamen depend upon the Jones Act as one of the only means of recovery after a job-related injury, as the rules of workers’ compensation do not typically apply to sea-based workers. The more you know about Jones Act claims, the more prepared you will be when dealing with an occupational injury or illness and will be able to hire right lawyer for maritime accident case.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. This is a federal statute that supports commercial sea activity through the development and maintenance of a merchant marine. It came about after World War I as an effort to create a safe network of mariners after the German navy heavily damaged the U.S. Fleet. The Jones Act mainly called for all goods shipped to and from U.S. ports to use U.S. vessels.
Title 46 of U.S. Code §30104 allows an injured seaman to bring a civil action against his employer if the seaman was acting in the course of employment as a vessel crew member, if the employer was found to be negligent, and if the employer’s negligence was the cause of the seaman’s injuries. This is significantly different from a typical worker’s injury matter, where state workers’ compensation statutes generally prohibit employees from bringing lawsuits against employers for injuries caused by employer negligence.
Why Is the Jones Act Important
The importance of the Jones Act lies in its support for various crucial aspects. It is vital in bolstering the U.S. maritime industry, fostering domestic trade, and creating employment opportunities. Moreover, the act contributes to national security by guaranteeing a dependable fleet of American-flagged vessels for military activities. It also safeguards the rights of maritime workers, offering legal recourse in cases of injuries resulting from negligence. Additionally, the Jones Act promotes safety regulations and environmental conservation within the naval domain. Ultimately, this legislation sustains the maritime sector’s economy, national defense, worker well-being, and safety.
If you are a ferry worker and have sustained injuries while carrying out your duties, you could have a damages claim under the Jones Act. Contact the Jones Act lawyers at Murphy Law Firm at (225) 269-4928. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys will work hard to ensure that your injury claims are pursued aggressively.
Federal Employer’s Liability Act
Extension to Maritime Workers
One of the most important laws for workers is the extension of the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to maritime workers. FELA permits seamen to bring personal injury lawsuits and legal actions against their employers in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses at sea. The extension of FELA to seamen is vital since these employees do not have the option of recovering through workers’ compensation like most land-based workers. Without the Jones Act, maritime workers might be stuck without a means of recovery for work-related injuries. Instead, they may take legal action against negligent employers who cause or contribute to a boating incident, like a cruise ship accident. If a seaman dies, surviving family members have the same right to make a claim on behalf of their loved one against the negligent company or employer.
Under the Jones Act, an employee can sue an employer for injuries and illnesses incurred onboard during work hours if the employee can prove negligence. The employee also has the right to hold the vessel owner responsible on the grounds of unseaworthiness, if applicable. Finally, the Jones Act entitles seamen to receive “maintenance and cure” payments during recovery, which can include medical costs, room and board, utility payments, and other expenses until the employee reaches the “point of maximum medical improvement,” regardless of fault for the injury. If you have been hurt at sea, our Jones Act lawyers can protect your interests and fight for maximum compensation.
What is Maintenance & Cure?
“Maintenance and Cure” is the policy of providing injured seamen with medical care, treatment, and support during convalescence. Seamen are eligible for maintenance and cure even without a Jones Act claim, and will be entitled to maintenance payments until reaching the point of maximum possible cure.
Because maintenance and cure is a completely separate right from a Jones Act claim, there is no requirement that the employer’s negligence causes the injury or illness. Therefore, the seaman must only prove that the injury or illness occurred while employed on a vessel as a seaman and was not caused by willful misbehavior.
Do You Have a Jones Act Claim?
First, you must be a “seaman.” A seaman is a (male or female) worker with duties that contribute to the function of a vessel in navigation or accomplishment of its mission and the worker’s connection to the vessel must be substantial. For example, you would likely be considered a seaman if you were employed aboard an oil tanker by the shipowner to maintain and repair the ship’s propulsion for weeks at a time. However, if you were the employee of an electronics firm that was contracted by the ship’s owner to tune the ship’s radar while the ship was in port you would not necessarily be considered a seaman. Next, you must have a connection to a “vessel.” A vessel is any watercraft or other contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. For example, a floating casino that is permanently secured to the shore will not be considered a vessel for Jones Act purposes. Finally, your injury must have been caused, at least in part, by your employer’s negligence.
Recovering damages via the Jones Act is a likely possibility for any maritime worker, fisherman, or seamen working out of Louisiana’s coasts. You might only qualify for maintenance and cure payments, or you might be eligible for more in light of an employer’s or ship owner’s negligence. In fact, the federal worker’s compensation program for seamen (the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act) often results in greater benefits for injured maritime workers than land-based workers.
Whether you got injured in a cruise ship or offshore accident, talk with an experienced maritime attorney. They can evaluate your case and discuss your rights by exploring all legal options available to you. To find out whether the Jones Act for cruise ships could help you, call (225) 269-4928 or contact us online for a FREE consultation at Murphy Law Firm. Not only will our experienced maritime personal injury attorneys at Murphy Law Firm help you understand your claim, but they will also fight to get you whatever compensation you deserve!
Maritime & Jones Act Laws in Louisiana
Title 46 of US Code §30104
46 US Code Title 46 – Shipping
Subtitle I—General (§§ 101 – 505)
Subtitle II—Vessels and Seamen (§§ 2101 – 15109)
Subtitle III—Maritime Liability (§§ 30101 – 31343)
Subtitle IV—Regulation of Ocean Shipping (§§ 40101 – 44106)
Subtitle V—Merchant Marine (§§ 50101 – 58109)
Subtitle VI—Clearance, Tonnage Taxes, and Duties (§§ 60101 – 60507)
Subtitle VII—Security and Drug Enforcement (§§ 70001 – 70508)
Subtitle VIII—Miscellaneous (§§ 80101 – 80509)
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