Gulf of Mexico Rig Explosion & the Jones Act

With all the confusion and accusations following the deadly Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, Transocean workers have been left wondering their legal rights. Who is responsible for their medical bills and lost wages? Will they be blackballed for filing a lawsuit? If you were injured on the Deepwater Horizon, these questions may be going through your mindy.

The Jones Act will most certainly come into play in cases involving the Gulf of Mexico rig disaster. The Jones Act is a federal law that protects the rights of injured seamen. Deepwater Horizon workers should be classified as seamen, as much of their time was spent on the water. Under this law, a worker is considered a seaman if more than 30 percent of his or her time is spent on a vessel in navigable waters. However, this is just a general rule of thumb and there are exceptions. If you are not sure if you meet the criteria of a Jones Act seaman, you should talk with a maritime attorney.

Here are some things you should know about the Jones Act:

• Compensation is available under the Jones Act, which includes maintenance and cure. Maintenance is designed to cover your living expenses while you recover from your injuries. Cure is supposed to pay your medical bills and treatment associated with the maritime accident.
• When negligence leads to the injury, damages may be awarded. This compensation may include pain and suffering, disfigurement, impairment and loss of enjoyment of life. Even though the investigation into the rig explosion is still in its early stages, it appears as though there was some type of negligence involved.
• Under the Jones Act, injured seamen are able to file their claims in state or federal court. They are also entitled to a jury trial.

For more information regarding your legal rights and what you should and shouldn’t do following the rig accident, order a free copy of maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s book Answers to the Most Common Questions About the Transocean Rig Explosion. You can also contact the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800.