Are Oil Rig Workers Considered Seamen According to the Jones Act?

 

A: Are you an injured oil rig worker, or a family member of an injured oil rig worker who wants to collect compensation using the Jones Act? If so, you may want some clarification from a maritime injury lawyer about whether the hurt oil rig worker might be considered a “seaman” according to the Jones Act. To obtain privileges and rights under the Jones Act, the injured person must have been employed at sea. However, this “employed at sea” provision is necessary but not all you may need to qualify.

 

The oil rig worker must also meet three other criteria.

 

1. The oil rig worker needs to have been assigned to a vessel.

 

Most rig workers are either assigned to a specific vessel or assigned to a fleet under a company’s ownership. However, some oil rig workers who work freelance or for multiple employers may not qualify.

 

2. The vessel in question had to have been in navigation.

 

If the vessel was moored, connected to some utility on land, or otherwise in motion, then you may not pass this criterion. However, if your oil rig was moored when you were hurt, even if you were out on open water, you may not qualify as a Jones Act seaman.

 

3. The oil rig worker must have been spent a substantial amount of time on the rig.

 

You do not need to spend every waking hour of your working life on the vessel, but you had to have been substantially connected to it.

 

Obviously, there are many complex factors and every oil rig injury is different. For instance, whether your rig was moored or not may be key in determining whether you qualify for Jones Act privileges and rights.

 

For help understanding your rights, responsibilities, and for some potential resources, connect with the lawyers at Vujasinovic & Beckcom or call (877) 724-7800.