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We designed this website to provide information to consumers, injured people, and their families. Our goal is to level the playing field between consumers and insurance companies and expose the tricks, traps, and techniques they use to cheat injured people out of their legal rights. We also let consumers know about legal news, including verdicts and settlements and other interesting legal information.

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Vujasinovic & Beckcom Blog

Jones Act

8/26/2009
Michael Rawlins
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Rig worker's request for bench trial upheld

A federal court has upheld a maritime worker's motion to strike a jury trial in an injury case.

Dwayne Johnson, plaintiff, suffered undisclosed injuries after slipping on hydraulic fluid on the deck of the Cajun Express while working as a rig system supervisor. Johnson filed a claim against the defendant,Transocean Offshore USA Inc, the owner of the Cajun.

Transocean requested a jury trial. Johnson countered by filing a Motion to Strike Jury Trial.

Under normal admiralty law, neither party has the right to a jury trial except when granted by statute. Under the Jones Act, however, only the plaintiff has the right to a jury trial.

Judge Melancon of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, ruled in favor of Johnson's Motion to Strike, upholding his right to a bench trial.

Learn your rights as a seaman by ordering free copy of The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case written by Jones Act and maritime accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom.

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