The Jones Act, known as 46 U.S.C. 688 (1970), is a federal law dictating the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for on-the-job injuries and death. The Jones Act provides compensation for seamen suffering work related injuries or death caused by negligent acts of maritime employers or fellow workers.
Do you have a Valid Jones Act Case?

If you suffered personal injury or a loved one suffered a death from the negligence of a vessel owner, operator, officer, fellow employees or defects in a vessel or its equipment, then you might have a valid Jones Act Case. Contact a Jones Act lawyer at the Rasansky Law Firm, and we will discuss your case with you for free.
Do you Qualify as a Jones Act Seaman?

You must qualify as a "Seaman" in order to recover under the Jones Act. To qualify as a Seaman under the Jones Act, you must be a crew member assigned to a specific vessel or fleet of vessels. This includes officers and crew members who work on tankers, freighters, jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, towboats, tugs, supply boats, crew boats, barges, lay barges and fishing vessels are considered "Jones Act Seamen". Crew mambers on movable or "jack-up" drilling rigs are also considered Seamen. However, Seaman status under the Jones Act depends on the individual facts of each case. If you're not sure of your status, contact our Jones Act lawyers, who will be happy to discuss the merits of your case for free.
Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act

Longshoremen, pilots and fixed platform crew members are not considered Jones Act Seamen, but these workers do have other maritime remedies available if they have suffered personal injury while working offshore. These workers are often covered under the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, or the LHWCA. Contact our Attorneys, who would be glad to help you with your case. There is absolutely no cost to you unless we win your case.
Jones Act "Maintenance and Cure"

If you have suffered personal injury and qualify as a "Jones Act Seaman", you could be eligible for "maintenance and cure". Maintenance is a daily compensation designed to provide the same living conditions, such as food and shelter, a seaman would have been provided while aboard the vessel. Typical maintenance rates range from $10 to $35 dollars a day. "Cure" is the obligation of a Jones Act seaman's employer to provide medical treatment, including prescription drugs, hospitalization, nursing services, rehabilitation and therapy until the seaman reaches a point of "maximum medical improvement".

"Maintenance and cure" are available to a "Jones Act seaman" regardless of who is at fault. The "maintenance and cure" must continue until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement. Once maximum medical improvement is reached, the vessel owner's obligation ends. If an employer refuses to pay maintenance and cure, the employer may be liable for all damages plus attorney's fees.

If you have suffered a personal injury while employed as a "Jones Act Seaman", contact one of our lawyers as soon as possible. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
"Unseaworthiness" Accidents

Every vessel owner owes their seaman a duty to provide a "seaworthy vessel". A ?seaworthy? vessel is one that is a safe place to work and live. A seaworthy vessel should be equipped with appropriate safety gear and equipment, safe recreation facilities, and a competent crew. A seaman can recover if he or she was injured as a result of an unseaworthy condition on the vessel.
Is Your Vessel Seaworthy?

A vessel is considered not seaworthy if a piece of equipment breaks or is inoperable, the vessel's crew is too small or incomplete, not adequately trained, or a condition such as oil, grease, or rust exists where it is not intended to exist. While a negligence claim focuses on the acts of the seaman's employer, an unseaworthiness claim is concerned with the condition or adequacy of the vessel itself. Unlike a Jones Act claim, which is made against the seaman's employer, an unseaworthiness claim is made against the vessel's owner. In many cases those actions will be against the same party. A unseaworthiness claim will also bring the vessel?s owner into a lawsuit as an additional source of recovery for the injured seaman.
Statute of Limitations in a Jones Act Case

The Statute of Limitations in a Jones Act case is generally three years from the date of the injury. There are exceptions to this general rule, however such as seaman assigned to vessel owned, operated, or contracted by the United States government. Actions against the vessel owner for unseaworthiness, must also be brought within three years from the date of the seaman's injury.

Not all injuries that occur on vessels are Jones Act cases. There may be more appropriate remedies available under other laws, some of which have deadlines as short as ONE YEAR. For that reason, do not delay in submitting your case for evaluation. Contact our Jones Act Lawyers today to evaluate your case for free.
Recoverable Damages under the Jones Act

An injured worker who qualifies as a Jones Act Seaman can seek to recover damages including Past Lost Income - Wages lost from the time of the injury to the time of trial; Future Lost Income - Wages loss in the future; Medical expenses in the past and in the future; as well as past and future pain, suffering, disfigurement and mental anguish.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death while employed as a "Jones Act Seaman", we can help. Contact our experienced Jones Act Lawyers as soon as possible.