Jones Act Injuries from Barratry

If you are a seaman, you need to be aware of something known as barratry. When it comes to the maritime industry, barratry refers to a fraudulent act of misconduct by the ship’s master or crew. Barratry generally results in damage to the vessel or cargo.

Some examples of barratry in maritime include the following:

• Deserting the vessel
• Illegal scuttling
• Theft on the ship
• Cargo theft

When barratry occurs on a ship, it can lead to injuries. Under the Jones Act, injured seamen can bring a legal action when they are injured by the vessel owner, the captain, or other crewmembers. Damages in a Jones Act lawsuit can be substantial and may include past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain and suffering, disfigurement and other costs associated with the injuries.

To be eligible to file a Jones Act claim, the injured worker must be considered a seaman. The law defines a seaman as a person who is a crewmember of a vessel or who has been assigned to a fleet of vessels. Basically, if the worker is on a vessel on the water for prolonged periods of time, he or she will probably be considered a Jones Act seaman. Most workers who go out to sea fall under this classification and are legally protected under the Jones Act.

If you have been injured by barratry or some type of maritime accident, you should contact an experienced Houston Jones Act lawyer who can explain your legal rights. It is important to contact a Jones Act attorney right after your maritime injury because there are deadlines as to when you can file your claim and if you wait too long, it can be very difficult recovering the money in which you are entitled. Contact the Houston law offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 for a free legal consultation.