The Jones Act
Helping Seafarers in Louisiana and Worldwide Recover for Work Injuries
Unlike other types of employment, seafarers are not covered by workers’ compensation. Instead, you can pursue damages under the Jones Act. No matter where you are in the world when you are injured, you may be entitled to Jones Act protection.The Jones Act, also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a remedy for seamen that allows a seaman to sue his or her employer for damages. This U.S. federal statute regulates commerce and provides protection to seamen, maritime workers and offshore workers who have become injured and are not able to return to work.
At the law firm of Dodson & Hooks, APLC, our lawyers provide experienced legal service for injured seamen and maritime workers under the Jones Act, including in the United States, United Kingdom and internationally. When the injuries are due to employer negligence, Baton Rouge Jones Act lawyers work to hold the employer financially accountable.
Jones Act Recovery – Our Lawyers Can Help
The Jones Act imposes a higher standard of care on maritime employers. Under the Jones Act, your employer may be held liable for any injury you sustain partly or completely due to the negligence of your employer or its officers, agents or employees. The liberal definition of negligence includes such conduct as:
- Failing to maintain safety equipment
- Selecting an inexperienced crew or shipmaster
- Assault by a fellow crewmember
- Requiring inappropriate overtime
- Providing inadequate medical treatment
- Failing to rescue a crewmember
- Steering the vessel into bad weather conditions
Protecting Your Rights
The Jones Act sets forth certain regulations regarding what an employer can and cannot do after an accident that results in an injury. For instance, the employer cannot determine where a worker can go for medical help or which doctors should be seen for that treatment. Employers also cannot send a nurse to accompany the injured worker to his or her doctor’s appointment.Our Baton Rouge-based lawyers understand the Jones Act well and have extensive experience upholding this law for the benefit of our clients. We also know the tactics that employers and shipping companies may use in trying to avoid paying Jones Act claims.
Our Baton Rouge Jones Act lawyers remain your advocate throughout the recovery process to help you get the medical care you need and the monetary compensation you are entitled to. Our law firm maintains a 24-hour multilingual phone service so you can seek immediate assistance after your injury and have your crucial questions answered quickly. In addition, we have international correspondents to help you in many parts of the world.
