What Loved Ones of Injured Maritime Workers Need to Know

If a loved one is injured while working on the water, navigating the complex legal process and understanding your rights can be daunting. The Jones Act provides maritime workers with certain protections, but it's important to understand how this law works and what you can do to ensure that your loved one is properly taken care of. In this article, we'll explore what you need to know as a spouse or family member of an injured maritime worker and provide practical tips on finding the right law firm to represent your case. We hope that by providing this information, we can make the process easier for those affected by maritime injury.

Who Qualifies Under The Jones Act

The Jones Act is a maritime law that provides certain protections for injured seamen and their families. This law holds employers liable if they are negligent in providing safe working conditions or equipment, or if they fail to provide medical care to workers who become ill or injured while on the job.

Under maritime law, a seaman is—by definition—an individual who spends at least 30% of their time employed with one particular vessel or its associated fleet. They must also be actively contributing to the running and/or operations of the said ship in order to receive coverage under the Jones Act for any potential injuries. The vessel must be engaged in commerce with at least some connection to traditional maritime activities, such as fishing or transportation of goods. If your loved one qualifies as a seaman, they can make personal injury claims against their employer due to negligence in providing safe working conditions or equipment, failure to provide medical care when needed, and other causes of action under the act

Protecting Their Rights After an Injury

It's essential that you understand your loved one’s rights after an injury and take steps to protect them. For example, you should make sure that you file any paperwork within the statute of limitations set by the court—generally two years from the date of injury for Jones Act cases—and document any evidence related to the claim. It's important to note that most companies have their own legal teams and insurance policies to protect themselves against claims; so it's important to seek experienced counsel when filing a claim against them. If you have questions related to what evidence you need to collect, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Choosing a Law Firm

When navigating the claims process, it’s important to choose carefully when selecting a law firm to represent you and your loved one. Look for firms that specialize in maritime law and personal injury cases related to these issues. Be sure to ask about the lawyer’s experience handling similar cases; this will ensure that you are getting competent legal representation for your case. Additionally, it's important to find out what type of financial assistance may be available for those affected by injuries sustained while at sea. Many organizations provide financial assistance for seafarers who have been injured on the job but may not be able to afford legal fees associated with making a Jones Act claim. At VB Attorneys, our team has extensive legal experience and has won many high-profile cases. We provide top-of-the-line financial assistance to our clients, and they do not pay anything until we have won for them. 

Contact our Maritime Attorneys Today

At the end of the day, understanding what rights are available under the Jones Act is key when seeking justice after an injury at sea. As a spouse or family member of someone who has been injured on board a vessel covered by the Jones Act, it is important to understand how this law works so that you can be prepared should something happen in the future. Our team at VB Attorneys can help give you the direction and expertise needed to successfully file a Jones Act claim and win. Contact us today at (713) 224-7800 for a free consultation