Port Arthur, Texas Maritime Attorney Provides Insight into Jones Act Protection

When you are hurt in an offshore accident, trying to ensure that you are fairly compensated can cause you to become quickly overwhelmed. You may start to worry about how you are going to pay your medical bills, let alone provide for your family. Many injured maritime workers are also hesitant to pursue a legal claim out of fear that they will be blackballed in the industry.

Maritime law is complex and if you don’t have experience in this area, it is easy to become overwhelmed. That is why it is wise to consult with an experienced Port Arthur maritime attorney who can explain your legal rights under the law.

Many maritime workers are considered to be seamen, which entitles them to protection under the federal law, the Jones Act. This law provides compensation for workers, which is known as maintenance and cure, but it also allows workers to file lawsuits in federal or state court when negligence caused the maritime accidents.

Here are key points to understand about the Jones Act:

• The Jones Act protects the rights of seamen. A seaman is defined as someone who spends more than 30 percent of his or her time on a vessel in navigable waters. This is just a general guideline, meaning a worker who spends less than this time could still be considered a Jones Act seaman.
• You can obtain a jury trial, as a Jones Act seaman. The law does give workers the right to a jury trial, which as mentioned above, can be filed in state or federal court.
• Damages are available in a Jones Act lawsuit. A successful Jones Act claim could entitle an injured maritime worker to compensation. Damages that might be awarded include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, impairment and loss of enjoyment of life.

If you have been hurt in a maritime accident, you should contact an experienced Port Arthur maritime attorney for a free case evaluation. For more information, contact the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. by calling 877.724.7800 or filling out our online form.

Be sure to order a copy of our controversial and popular book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case, written by maritime attorney Brian Beckcom. It is exclusively for injured offshore employees and their family members.