Maritime and Jones Act Information

What is the Maritime and Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a law that was enacted by Congress to provide protection to people (seamen) who are members of a crew of a ship or vessel. The term “seman” also defines anyone who works on an Offshore Oil Rig, Motorized Platform, Jackup rig, semi-subersible ship or rig, Stationary Production Rig, Barge, Dredge, Floating Crane, Drill Ship, Towboat/Tug Boat, Cargo Ship, Chemical Ship, Research Vessel, Diving Boat, Construction Barge, Lay Barge, Private Yacht, Charter Boat, Cruise Ship, Riverboat Casino, Shrimp Boat, Fishing Boat, Trawler, Tanker, Ferry, any type of Crew Boat, Water Taxi, and any other moveable structure or vessel on navigable waters which includes intra-coastal waterways, lakes, bays, rivers, and canals. Divers and other underwater personnel can also be covered by the Jones Act.

The Jones Act 46 U.S.C. 688 (1970) has to do with the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for the work-related injury or death of an employee. Because it is a federal cause of action, it means that all seaman’s injuries in the U.S. have to follow the same standards of liability. So, if you’re working for a company on one of the above types of boats or rigs in navigable water - and you’re injured, you have a remedy against your employers if you can show that the injury resulted from negligent acts by your employer or co-workers while you were employed for them. (Which means to win your claim you have to be able to show that your employer or a co-worker did something unreasonable or failed to perform a reasonable act that would have prevented your injury.) Claims made under the Jones Act can also be directed towards an employer if a dangerous condition existed which made the vessel unseaworthy.

If this sounds like you, you might want to find a maritime injury lawyer or Jones Act Attorney right away to discuss your case, because unluckily, time is your enemy. You face specific deadlines for being able to file a claim, and the clock starts ticking right away.