The Jones Act Updated: 03/12/2007
The Jones Act was written to help injured seamen. Additionally, the Jones Act ensures that the U.S. keeps and maintains a fleet of ships staffed by U.S. crews and owned by U.S. companies.
Prior to the passing of the Jones Act in 1920 there were no written laws (statues) by Congress to ensure that injured U.S. seamen would be provided for if they were injured. For many years, injured seamen relied upon Maritime Law for their recovery. Maritime law or admiralty law is a mixture of common law, traditions and practices adopted by ancient seafaring nations, and incorporated into the American legal system over time.
The Jones Act provides for two types of remedies for seamen. First, the employer is bound by law to compensate an injured seaman for: “Transportation, Wages, Maintenance and Cure". "Transportation and Wages" are paid until the voyage is complete. "Maintenance" and "Cure" are paid until the seaman has reached his or her maximum medical cure.
If the injury was caused in any way by negligence on behalf of the employer, the injured seaman may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
U.S. Maritime Law may also provide benefits for injuries or deaths if the vessel was found to be "unseaworthy". A vessel is considered unseaworthiness if the vessel or its crew were not reasonably fit for their intended use and that the unseaworthiness caused or contributed to the injury. The courts have used very liberal labeling to define “unseaworthiness”, and typically unseaworthiness claims are not overly difficult to prove.
The Jones Act is extremely complex. Few attorneys are familiar enough with the issues and benefits of the Jones Act to effectively represent injured seamen.
Jones Act judgments are typically for much higher amounts than other traditional injury actions, so the selection of a competent attorney is essential for an injured seaman.
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 | Claims can result in large cash awards?
| | | You may be eligible for attorney loans?
| | | You are allowed to choose your own doctor?
| | | Following an injury, your employer cannot be trusted?
| | | That attorneys can help you secure medical tests and treatment?
| | | That the Jones Act is almost no fault?
| | | If you have been injured on the water, then chances are, you are covered by the Jones Act!
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