Jones Act Lawsuit

Williams Kherkher - Filing a Jones Act Lawsuit

The attorneys of Williams Kherkher have handled a wide range of cases including filing Jones Act lawsuits. Filing a Jones Act lawsuit requires in-depth knowledge of the Jones Act and other maritime legislation. If you have been injured while working at sea, your case falls under the practice area of maritime law, which is also referred to as admiralty law. This means that you should work with a maritime attorney for your case. A workers' compensation law attorney may also be able to handle your case; however, there is a reason why it is referred to as a Jones Act lawsuit. This is because the injuries of a sea worker and the laws that protect their rights mostly fall under the rules and regulations set forth by the Jones Act of 1970.

Understanding the Jones Act

The Jones Act in its present form was passed by the United States Congress back in the early 1970's. It was the passing of this legislation that finally gave sea workers protection when injured while working at sea. With the unique environment of a sea worker, the questions of jurisdiction, liability, and compensation came up regularly. The Jones Act is intended to address such concerns.

This area of law is quite complex, but it is its complexity that benefits the sea worker. Even issues of international waters, internationally owned ships, foreign sea workers, and liability of the vessel owner are addressed in this legislation. These areas were not addressed in any legislation before the Jones Act.

Ready to File a Jones Act Lawsuit

If you have been injured while working at sea, you may be ready to file a Jones Act lawsuit. If this is the case, begin by selecting a Jones Act attorney. Second, gather any documentation you have about the cause of the injury. This could include an incident report, witness report, or simply notes describing the events that lead up to the injury. If you have any medical reports or assessment regarding your injury, be sure to bring those to your attorney.

Once you have selected your attorney, understand that they are your advocate now. Attorney-client privilege now is in place, so be open and honest. Williams Kherkher offers a free initial consultation for new clients. This helps both parties to decide if there is a good fit or not. Contact Williams Kherkher today. Ask to schedule your first appointment with a maritime attorney.