Maritime Accidents & Jones Act Claims

When an individual has a job that requires that person to be on the high seas for long periods, there is a potential for severe accidents to occur. The water can often be unpredictable so that these occupations can be inherently dangerous. However, accidents caused by other boats or other crew members may be eligible for compensation through a maritime accident or Jones Act claim.

When an accident occurs at sea involving a ship or other vessel and one or more crew members are injured on the job, those crew members have the right to be compensated by their employer under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. This act is also known as the Jones Act and was enacted to protect seamen and other crew members from the inherent dangers of their profession. It also provides a means of compensation for injuries in the event of an accident.

What Is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a maritime law that provides those who work aboard just about any type of seaworthy vessel an opportunity to sue for compensation if they sustain an injury or develop an illness in connection with that vessel. This can include a variety of different ships and boats, including container and cargo ships, cruise ships (it may not cover cruise ship passengers as well as the employees), casino boats, fishing boats, factory trawlers, crabbing boats, charter boats, offshore drilling rigs, production platforms, tankers, barges, tugboats, and ferries.

Who Is Covered Under the Jones Act in Palm Beach County?

To be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act in North Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Miami-Dade County, and/or Broward County, an individual must be established as a crew member before the accident occurs. They may also be eligible for accidents in port as long as they are aboard the vessel and are on duty at the time of the accident. Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, their employer’s insurance should cover all medical expenses and lost wages. 

If you are a crew member of a ship, whether it is a barge, a cruise ship, or even a merchant aircraft traveling overseas, you should come to understand your rights under the Jones Act and fight for them in the event of an accident with accompanying maritime injury. Contact Alpizar Law, LLC today to learn what a Brevard County personal injury lawyer can do for injured seamen such as yourself. Our office is conveniently located in the Florida city of Palm Bay!

What Requirements Must Be Fulfilled in Order to File Jones Act Claims?

When it comes to general maritime law related to the Jones Act, three essential criteria must be met for a seaman injured on a vessel to file a claim for maximum compensation. These requirements include:

• the individual must meet the legal definition of “seamen”
• 46 USC Section 10101(3) states that the legal definition of a seaman is “an individual (except scientific personnel, a sailing school instructor, or a sailing school student) engaged or employed in any capacity onboard a vessel”
• the individual must have sustained the maritime injury or developed the illness during the employment
• the individual’s injury or illness must have resulted from negligence on the part of the employer or other employees

If these three requirements are met, the injured vessel personnel may be eligible to file for compensation for their maritime injury. The individual must seek the legal advice and representation of an experienced maritime law firm such as our Florida coast law office at Alpizar Law, LLC, to work for justice and compensation for their injuries and the resulting medical care.

Why Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

When an individual employed by a vessel of any kind has sustained serious injury or illness due to their employment, they may be eligible to file a lawsuit under the Jones Act. It is essential to hire an attorney with experience in admiralty law to fight for the compensation deserved for the maritime injury.

At Alpizar Law, LLC, our Miami Beach attorneys are well-aware of the challenges associated with maritime law and how complex these cases may be. Our Palm Bay, Florida, the legal team will work diligently to fight for your rights as a victim, maintain privilege for your confidential or sensitive information, and develop a strong attorney-client relationship with you. We do all of this while you focus on the critical task of healing and recovery from your injuries.