If I am injured offshore, am I required to sign paperwork in exchange for receiving medical benefits or maintenance payments?

A: NO. In fact, it is a very bad idea to sign ANYTHING before talking with an experienced maritime lawyer. Recently, some Jones Act employers have started requiring, or strongly suggesting, that injured seamen sign papers before they get medical benefits, maintenance, or "advances" on their personal injury settlements. This is NOT required under the Jones Act. And it is almost always a big mistake to sign such paperwork before consulting with independent, non-company affiliated lawyers. Why is this a big mistake? Because Jones Act employers often bury arbitration clauses or other language in this paperwork, and some courts have actually been enforcing these arbitrations clauses or waivers. What does it mean to sign and be bound by an arbitration clause? It means you may be forever giving up your right to a trial in Court, and instead, you may be agreeing to have your case heard by an arbitrator in a venue that is hand-picked by your employer. Almost always a bad idea. If your employer requires you to sign paperwork after you're injured, you should STRONGLY consider having the paperwork reviewed by an independent, non-company affiliated lawyer to make absolutely sure you are not giving up important legal rights.