Call our Houston Jones Act attorneys at 
Our Jones Act Attorneys Can Determine If You Are A Seaman?
To seek compensation under the Jones Act, an injured worker must be a “seaman.” However, the law does not define what a seaman is. In the years following the passage of the Jones Act, court rulings have established that a seaman is any individual employed on a vessel in navigable waters, who spends at least 30 percent of the time working aboard a vessel, and whose duties aboard the vessel must contribute to the function of the vessel or to the accomplishment of its mission.
Examples of maritime employees who qualify as seamen under the Jones Act include captains, mates, deckhands, engineers, stewards, fishermen, or sailors who work on crew boats, cruise ships, supply boats, barges, dive boats, and fishing vessels. If you are wondering if you qualify for Jones Act protections as a seaman, it is important to speak with an attorney who can clearly explain your rights and help you determine if you should pursue legal action.
If you work on one of these types of vessels, whether on the ocean, in seaports, or on Intracoastal lakes, rivers or canals, you may be protected under the Jones Act:
- Cruise ships
- Yachts
- Ferries
- Tug boats
- Trawlers
- Drill ships
- Barges
- Crew boats
- Riverboat casinos
- Tankers
- Trawlers
- Fishing and shrimp boats
The Jones Act also protects the legal rights of offshore oil rig workers. According to maritime law, oil rigs are considered vessels. The Ammons Law Firm has been successfully representing injured seamen in cases involving the Jones Act for more than 20 years, and we would be glad to discuss the details surrounding your injury and determine if your work description meets the definition of being a “seaman.”
Your Right to Compensation Under the Jones Act
Under the Jones Act, seamen are entitled to maintenance and cure. Maintenance refers to compensation for living expenses while the seaman is unable to work due to injuries, while cure refers to medical expenses related to the seaman’s injuries. In addition, the injured seaman may be able to seek compensation for lost wages, past medical bills, future medical bills, pain and suffering, permanent disability, ongoing physical therapy, and diminished quality of life.
In order to collect compensation under the Jones Act, an injured seaman must prove that their injuries were caused by negligence on the part of an employer, coworker, or ship owner. As Jones Act attorneys, we know the ins and outs of the Jones Act and other maritime laws. We possess the expertise and knowledge to guide you through the process, gather the evidence needed to establish your claim, and negotiate the best compensation possible in your situation.
Maintenance & Cure
Almost all seamen who become ill or injured while at sea qualify for maintenance and cure benefits, regardless of who was responsible for their injuries. Maintenance provides for such things as food and lodging; cure covers the injured worker’s medical costs. Maintenance payments amount to about $35 – $45 per day and last until the injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement – a state where the injured worker’s condition cannot be improved upon any further or when doctors declare them ready to return to work.
Contact The Houston Jones Act Attorneys Today
If you were injured in a workplace accident and need help determining whether you qualify for benefits under the Jones Act, you need to speak with the Houston Jones Act attorneys at The Ammons Law Firm today. Our team of Jones Act lawyers has the experience and resources to help you recover full compensation under the law. We have a demonstrated history of record-setting verdicts and settlements and will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact The Ammons Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Houston Jones Act Attorneys and learn why we are the firm of choice for maritime injury lawsuits.
