Jones Act & Maritime Law: Understanding the Law
The Jones Act is federal maritime law that applies to all American vessels at sea. Since being first enacted in 1920, this set of specialty maritime laws have been updated and strengthened many times, the most recent occurring in 1996. The Jones Act contains extremely complex and detailed regulations that truly are a specialty of maritime law requiring a qualified Jones Act maritime lawyer for successful representation.
Under the Jones Act, the possible amount of recovery is higher than a simple workman’s compensation claim, but so are the legal complexities. For instance, the injured seaman must prove strict criteria to file a successful claim. One such criterion includes showing the seaman, the employer, and vessel all qualify under the strict definitions in the Jones act. After meeting that burden, the law requires a finding of employer or co-worker’s negligence. This maritime law may be considerably more complex than those involved in a normal personal injury suit or a workman’s compensation claim for an injured worker. It is imperative to consult and hire a Jones Act maritime attorney on your possible offshore injury claim before negotiating any settlement with the employer or insurance company.
Connect with us on Facebook
