A Jones Act lawyer at Bufete AK will meet with you and honestly evaluate your maritime claim. This is a highly-specialized area of the law that requires a complicated legal process.
If your claim qualifies, our attorneys will do the following on your behalf:
- File your complaint in the federal court, and serve your employer
- Represent you at any hearings
- Use the discovery process to obtain documents, interrogatories, and depositions
- Review and analyze any potential evidence
- Procure expert witnesses
- Attending the pretrial conference
- Set a trial date
- Represent your interests in any settlement negotiations
- If needed, go to trial
The Jones Act is federal legislation that gives seamen a right to sue their employers for injuries sustained in the course of their employment. While many land-based workers rely on workers’ compensation for on-the-job injuries, the Jones Act protects maritime workers.
Seamen may recover for:
- Wages and tips
- Medical care
- Food and shelter
- Transportation
- Contract benefits
Seamen may also get compensation for injuries or illness incurred while in the service of a vessel due to the fault of their employer. This compensation includes money for injuries, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
To qualify for compensation under the Jones Act, one must meet the definition of a “seaman.” A seaman is classified in the following ways:
- A worker who aids in the navigation of the vessel or contributes to the mission of the vessel.
- The worker must spend a significant amount of time working on a vessel, rather than on land.
- A worker performing traditional seaman’s work may qualify for purposes of the law.
The seas are inherently dangerous workplaces causing numerous accidents, injuries, and death. While some accidents are unavoidable, others occur when workers and supervisors neglect safety procedures and protocols.
Common maritime injuries eligible for recovery under the Jones Act include:
- Traumatismos craneales
- Lesiones cerebrales traumáticas
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Loss of a limb or crushed limbs
- Scarring and disfigurement injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Muscle and joint injuries
Recovery for damages and losses depends on the severity of your injuries. It is vital to seek legal help right away because evidence and documentation are easier for your attorney to gather when your claim is fresh. Contacting AK Law Firm quickly allows more time to build your claim and prepare for trial if necessary.
Never settle your claim without the advice of a Jones Act claim lawyer like ours at AK Law Firm. It is very likely your attorney can negotiate a settlement that more accurately reflects your damages and covers your total losses.
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