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The Jones Act And Unseaworthiness Claims

Seamen, crewmen, commercial fishermen, offshore oil rig workers and others who work on water-going vessels are afforded special rights under federal maritime law. Specifically, if you are injured while doing maritime work, you are entitled to maintenance and cure, which your employer is obligated to provide.

  • Maintenance means compensation for your daily living expenses until you reach maximum medical recovery — when further medical treatment would no longer be helpful to you.
  • Cure means the medical care you need as a result of the injury, including the cost of transporting you from the ship or rig to a medical facility.

Note: your rights to maintenance and cure go into effect automatically after a maritime accident. You should not have to sign a release to receive the maintenance and cure to which you are entitled. Instead, speak with an experienced maritime lawyer about receiving the maximum in benefits and compensation.

The maritime law attorneys of Ballay, Braud & Colon, PLC, help injured maritime workers and their families obtain the full and fair compensation they need and deserve. We advise and represent clients throughout Louisiana.

If you have questions about The Jones Act, unseaworthiness claims or other matters related to your rights under maritime law, contact our firm in Belle Chasse today for a free consultation for Med Mal & Personal Injury Matters .

Additional Protections Under The Jones Act

The Jones Act, also known as The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, allows seamen to hold their employers accountable for their negligence or the negligence of other crew members. Through a Jones Act claim, you may be entitled to a variety of recoverable damages, including compensation for past and future medical expenses, loss of income and any pain and suffering you experienced as a result of a maritime accident.

Strict Liability And Unseaworthiness Claims

If a vessel’s unseaworthy conditions resulted in your injury, the owner of the vessel and your employer may be held strictly liable. That means you do not have to prove that the owner of the vessel knew about the unsafe condition.

We can thoroughly investigate your case, help you explore your legal options, and develop an effective legal strategy for maximizing your compensation.

Contact Ballay, Braud & Colon, PLC

For a free consultation for Med Mal & Personal Injury Matters with an experienced maritime and admiralty lawyer, contact us online or call us locally at 504-266-0368 or toll free at 800-455-5204. Our West Bank attorneys represent clients throughout the New Orleans area.