Your Rights as a Jones Act Shipping Employee under the Jones Act Safety Rules


February 7, 2012     By The Young Firm

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With all the maritime safety information available to employers, there should be little cause for injury aboard an offshore vessel. However, accidents due to negligence still occur, resulting in the need for a Jones Act attorney to help you apply the Jones Act. Shipping employees in particular may ask "What is the Jones Act?" in accordance to their rights as an injured worker.
Jones Act Shipping Employees’ Right to Compensation

Probably the most important right you have under the Jones Act is the right to compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. If your employer did not follow maritime safety rules, and you were injured due to their negligence, a Jones Act attorney can help you file a claim.

If you're asking "What is the Jones Act?" in regards to your rights for damages, your Jones Act attorney can help. Under this law, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• lost wages, current and future;
• medical expenses not covered by your employer;
• pain and suffering;
• lost fringe benefits; or
• death of a family member.

Your employer may not be forthcoming about how much you are entitled to in compensation while you are recovering from your injuries. You also may not know how much you may be eligible to collect if you are unable to work long term or permanently due to violation of maritime safety information.

A Jones Act attorney can answer "What is the Jones Act?" in terms of your injury claim and how it entitles you to damages you have suffered.

What is the Jones Act policy for medical treatment?

If you have been injured while working at a maritime occupation such as at a shipping harbor or on a freight vessel, you have the right to receive immediate medical treatment. You should tend to your immediate medical needs with whatever help is available until you are stable enough to make your own medical decisions.

Once you begin recovery, you may need ongoing treatment or physician reviews to qualify for Jones Act shipping employee benefits. If you claim you are unable to work, you need a doctor’s statement to substantiate that claim and continue your benefits.

Many employees will tell you that you have to see the doctor they suggest, and they may deny you medical treatment if you seek your own doctor. Because this policy is in defiance of the Jones Act, an attorney may be necessary to fight for your right to choose your own physician. You should go to a doctor you are comfortable with and one who specializes in the type of injury you have.

Don’t let your employer push you around during your claim under the Jones Act. Shipping jobs can often lead to accidents and serious injury. If your employer allowed an act of negligence to occur, and you were injured due to ignorance of maritime safety information, a Jones Act shipping injury claim may be necessary.

Contact a Jones Act Attorney for Jones Act Shipping Injury Claims

The Jones Act provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. When you file a claim under the Jones Act it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be offered help from your employer in seeking your rightful benefits. A Jones Act attorney from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana, can help you review maritime safety information that may show negligence of your employer.

Though we are based in Louisiana, we are ready and able to help injured victims throughout the U.S. When you are confused as to what is the Jones Act in regards to your injury, we urge you to contact us today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Young Firm
Timothy Young and the maritime lawyers of The Young Firm have been fighting for injured maritime workers for years. Contact them if you have any questions at all about your rights under maritime law or the Jones Act.

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Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.