Knee Injuries and the Jones Act

A knee injury can be excruciating, affecting just about every aspect of your life. Depending on the severity of your knee pain, you may not be able to work, drive your car or even walk without assistance. If you work in the maritime industry, you need to be aware of your legal rights when it comes to knee injuries.

Maritime workers are generally covered under a federal law known as the Jones Act, which provides compensation for injuries. This compensation includes maintenance and cure that covers living expenses and medical treatment. When negligence causes a maritime accident, further compensation may be available.

Knee pain can be the result of an offshore accident, such as slipping on the deck or falling down broken stairs, or it can be caused by certain medical conditions. Some of the symptoms of a knee injury include:

• Popping sound
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Inability to bear weight on the injured knee
• Visible deformity
  

When a maritime accident results in a knee injury, it is important to seek medical care right away. The recommended course of treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. In minor cases, rest may be recommended, along with ice treatments and pain medication. In more severe cases, extensive physical therapy may be required, as well as surgery.

A knee injury can take several weeks to heal. If you have sustained this type of maritime injury and are looking to obtain compensation, you should contact an experienced Houston maritime attorney who can help you with your case. Contact the maritime injury lawyers at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877-724-7800. You should also order the free book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case, by Brian Beckcom.