Jones Act Lawsuits

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Every mariner suffering a shipboard accident is entitled to maintenance and cure benefits. There is no need to prove that an employer was responsible for the injury in any way. But if you were injured on a ship as a result of your employer's negligence, under the Jones Act you are able to file a lawsuit for additional damages.

If you were injured in a shipboard accident that resulted from the negligence of an employer, you deserve full compensation for your injuries. The maritime injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. stand ready to help seamen in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Please schedule a free consultation today, and learn how we can help you.

Negligence that Contribute to Accidents

Life as a seaman is inherently dangerous, and boating accidents do happen. That is why all seamen are guaranteed maintenance and cure benefits. But negligence can increase the likelihood or severity of accidents that happen on the high seas. Some common types of negligence that can be the basis of Jones Act lawsuits:

• Putting an unseaworthy vessel to sea
• Putting a vessel to sea with inadequate or poorly trained crew
• Failure to provide adequate safety equipment
• Failure to maintain shipboard equipment
• Failure to provide equipment, gear, or clothing necessary to do a job properly
• Failure to provide prompt or adequate medical treatment

These are just a representative few types of negligence that can lead to or worsen a shipboard accident. Although the Jones Act does not allow you to sue fellow crew members, everything the crew does might be considered the responsibility of the ship owner or captain. In many cases--especially when an unseaworthy vessel is involved--an entire crew acts together to file a lawsuit.

In Jones Act lawsuits, the statute of limitations is normally three years from the date of the accident or the date you either discovered the injury or that it was due to negligence. However, it is often advisable to act quickly because establishing negligence may depend on a rapid review of evidence including examination of the vessel in question and interviewing fellow crew members.

Who Can File a Jones Act Lawsuit?

The Jones Act covers all employees on all vessels and floating installations, including barges, ferries, fish processing ships, and floating factories. It does not, however, cover injuries suffered by non crewmembers. If a seaman suffers wrongful death at sea, family members may be able to file a lawsuit.

Damages Available under Jones Act Lawsuits

Under the Jones Act, you can sue for a wide range of damages, including:

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Retraining
• Past and future pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life

If you suffered injury or lost a loved one due to the negligence of an employer or ship owner, acting today may be the best way to protect your rights. Please contact the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. today.

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