What are the basics of the Jones Act?

There are plenty of New York residents who work at sea, in various roles. There are those who work on cruise ships, some who work as crew members on cargo ships or merchant vessels and even fishermen – all, and more, have a much different work environment than most Americans. While it is easy to see the appeal in a job at sea, there is no doubting the potential danger as well. When a personal injury incident occurs at sea, that is when the Jones Act might come into play.

So, what are the basics of the Jones Act? Well, for starters, this federal law gives people who are injured on-the-job at sea the potential ability to file personal injury lawsuits against their employers. This is likely the most important part of the Jones Act for workers at sea. Those workers depend on their physical ability to do their jobs, day in and day out. If they suffer an injury due to their employer’s negligence or recklessness, a personal injury lawsuit may be their only recourse for attempting to recover financial compensation.

Additionally, the Jones Act gives injured plaintiffs the ability to file the personal injury lawsuit in either federal or state court. And, injured plaintiffs are also usually able to pursue a jury trial, if needed.

Legal options for injured sea workers

Suffering an injury on the job can be life-changing, both in the short-term and long-term. At our law firm, we understand the considerable impact such an incident can have on your life. We work with our clients to attempt to find the best path forward in their own unique situation. For more information, please visit the Jones Act overview section of our law firm’s website.