Jones Act Lawyer

Jones Act: Can you trust the company doctor?

When seamen are injured while working at sea, their employers refer them to particular doctors or clinics for medical care. These doctors often work with the employers to decrease any losses for the company and are more concerned with the well-being of the company rather than the well-being for the injured seaman. The company doctor's role is to minimize the treatment of your injuries and get you back on the job as soon as possible. This allows the company to cut off liability for maintenance and cure and limit the chance for claims of future medical needs, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.

The best way to protect yourself against this practice is to hire an attorney at the onset of your injury claim. Your attorney can help you find your own doctor and ensure that you receive the medical attention needed to fully recover from your injuries. Do not expect for your employer to inform you of all of your rights. It is not in their interest to assist you in requesting financial assistance for medical bills, lost wages, etc.

There are several cases when you may be required to visit the company doctor. These visits should be for injury evaluation purposes only. Work with an attorney to find the appropriate doctor for any treatments. An experienced Jones Act lawyer will be able to protect you against the underhanded medical practices of company doctors and make sure that your rights are protected when your employer wishes to access your medical records or requests that you undergo additional examinations by the company doctor.

Turn to the Jones Act lawyers of Williams Kherkher to ensure your successful recovery from work-related injuries. The experienced Jones Act lawyers are dedicated to fighting for your rights and have represented clients on a variety of Jones Act claims over the years. Don't let your employer treat you unfairly after an injury – trust in the highly skilled lawyers of Williams Kherkher.