Can't most personal injury lawyers handle a Jones Act or other offshore injury case?

You have probably noticed that A LOT of attorneys advertise for Jones Act and offshore accident cases. This makes many people think that maritime law is an easy area of the law that most attorneys understand. However, nothing could be further from the truth. So, the question is:

CAN'T MOST PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS HANDLE A JONES ACT OR OTHER OFFSHORE INJURY CASE?

The answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, most personal injury lawyers are not qualified to handle Jones Act and other offshore injury cases.

Offshore accident cases involve complexities that go well beyond regular accident and injury cases.

Jones Act lawyers understand the Jones Act law and other maritime laws that apply to offshore injury cases, such as the rules of maintenance and cure and rules that apply to Jones Act lawsuits. Most accident and injury attorneys are not familiar with these laws of the sea. If a lawyer is not familiar with these laws, there is no way they can properly handle an offshore accident case.

Jones Act lawyers have handled hundreds of offshore and maritime injury cases against numerous companies in the maritime industry. These offshore specialists know the companies, know their lawyers, know their experts, and know how they try to defend cases. Most personal injury attorneys do not have anything near this experience, nor do they have the critical knowledge that comes with it.

Jones Act lawyers are familiar with the vessels, rigs, platforms and equipment typically involved in offshore work. An understanding of these work areas and work items is crucial in order for an attorney to be able to properly handle an offshore accident case. How can a lawyer ask the right questions of the witnesses to develop a case if they don't understand how the equipment works? Most lawyers do not understand how this equipment works.

Jones Act lawyers have a documented and provable track record of successfully handling maritime injury cases. Most personal injury lawyers do not.

A good way to find out whether a lawyer is qualified to handle a Jones Act or maritime accident case is to ask them these Jones Act attorney questions.