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Understanding the Jones Act: Legal Rights for Injured Maritime Workers

Working at sea comes with serious risks—and when accidents happen, maritime workers deserve strong legal protection. That’s where the Jones Act comes in.

 

Passed in 1920, the Jones Act is a federal law that provides critical rights and legal remedies for seamen injured on the job. If you’ve been hurt while working aboard a vessel, understanding your rights under the Jones Act can make all the difference in your recovery—both physically and financially.

What Is the Jones Act?

 

The Jones Act, officially known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, allows qualified maritime workers to file claims directly against their employers for injuries resulting from negligence. Unlike typical workers’ compensation laws, the Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to a jury trial and compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and more.

 

To qualify under the Jones Act, you must be considered a "seaman"—someone who spends at least 30% of their working time on a vessel in navigation.

Common Scenarios Covered by the Jones Act

 

Injuries covered by the Jones Act often occur in the following situations:

  • Slips, trips, or falls due to poorly maintained decks or equipment

  • Injuries from unsafe working conditions or lack of proper safety gear

  • Accidents involving improperly trained crew members

  • Machinery malfunctions or explosions aboard a vessel

  • Injuries during vessel collisions or sinkings

Whether you’re working on an offshore oil rig, commercial fishing boat, cargo ship, or tugboat, your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment.

Legal Options for Injured Seamen

 

If you’re hurt while working on a vessel, you may be entitled to file a Jones Act claim. This can provide compensation beyond basic “maintenance and cure” benefits—those cover room, board, and medical expenses until you recover, but may not address long-term losses.

 

By filing under the Jones Act, you can pursue damages for:

  • Past and future lost wages

  • Medical bills and rehabilitation

  • Pain and suffering

  • Disability or disfigurement

  • Loss of future earning capacity

Time is critical. Maritime injury claims, including those under the Jones Act, are subject to strict deadlines—often just three years from the date of injury.

The Role of a Jones Act Lawyer

 

Navigating a Jones Act case isn’t easy. Maritime law is complex and different from land-based personal injury claims. A skilled Jones Act lawyer can help you:

  • Determine if you qualify as a seaman

  • Investigate your employer’s negligence

  • Gather evidence and witness statements

  • File your claim before deadlines expire

  • Fight for the full compensation you deserve

At Glago Williams, LLC, we have extensive experience representing injured maritime workers across Louisiana and beyond. We understand how devastating an offshore injury can be—and we’re here to help you recover.

Contact Glago Williams, LLC Today

 

If you or a loved one has been injured while working on the water, don’t wait. Contact Glago Williams, LLC today for a free consultation. Let a knowledgeable Jones Act attorney review your case and guide you through your legal options.