The Jones Act

The Jones Act allows an injured maritime worker (or the worker's estate in the case of death) to sue his or her employer if the injury or death occurred in the course of employment and the employer is at least partially at fault. The worker can collect damages from the employer in proportion to the percentage the employer was at fault.

Individuals working on navigable rivers and lakes can resort to three remedies for injury or death occurring in the course of employment. First, the vessel owner warranties the vessel's seaworthiness; second, the vessel owner or employer is required to provide "maintenance and cure" for injuries on the job; and third, a worker may bring a lawsuit against the employer for negligence under the Jones Act.

Maintenance and cure payments are intended to sustain the worker during recovery so that he or she can eventually return to work. If the injury is permanent, the worker should consider suing under the Jones Act.

Injured workers have three years from the time of their injuries to file a claim for compensation under the Jones Act. If you wish to do this, you should consult a competent attorney as soon as possible to discuss your particular case.

Bruce D. Townsend has succeeded in winning compensation in many Jones Act cases, even cases that other lawyers have turned down. For a free, confidential consultation about your case, contact us at 845-778-2228.