Jones Act Lawyer

Williams Kherkher's Jones Act Lawyers

If you are considering filing a claim, contact a Jones Act lawyer from Williams Kherkher. The Jones Act lawyers of Williams Kherkher have in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations that apply to sea workers that are injured on the job. Filing a claim can be quite complicated unless you work with an attorney that is familiar with maritime law.

The Jones Act

The Jones Act is a set of rules that protects a sea worker who had been injured while working due to the negligence of their employer or of their co-worker. This holds true even when the injured worker is well aware of the risks associated with their job.

The Jones Act also addresses' the potential liability of a ship's owner. If a ship is unseaworthy and this contributes to an injury, the ship's owner can be held responsible. An example would be when a ship cannot be deemed not seaworthy when the proper safety equipment is not available on board. Often you will see a Jones Act claim includes a claim that the vessel was not seaworthy.

Daily Allowance and Medical Care

If a sea worker is injured on the job, no matter who is held liable, the worker has the legal right to collect "maintenance and cure." "Maintenance" refers to a daily allowance that could range from $10 to $40 each day. This would cover the room and board that the sea worker would have had if they remained at the job. The "cure" refers to the medical care, hospitalization or rehabilitation services the employer is obligated to provide. Cure will go on until the sea worker reaches the highest level of medical improvement possible. An injured maritime worker has the right to maintenance and cure, regardless of any Jones Act claim they file.

Filing a Jones Act Claim

If you decide to file a claim, understand that the injured worked has the right to pursue legal action against an independent contractor. If you work with a Jones Act lawyer, they should be able to advise you on what legal avenues you have the right to pursue. Meeting with a maritime attorney for a free consultation will provide the opportunity to tell the Jones Act lawyer all the details of your case. At this time, the attorney has the ability to evaluate your case and detail what steps you will be taking. Do not wait - contact a Jones Act lawyer from Williams Kherkher today.