What is the difference between a Jones Act claim and a maritime personal injury claim?

The Jones Act and maritime personal injury claims are both types of maritime injury claims in Texas. While both Jones Act and maritime personal injury claims may arise from injuries sustained at sea, they differ in the type of damages allowed. Under the Jones Act, a worker who was injured on the job while working on a vessel is eligible to receive damages from his or her employer. This includes damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In order to receive these damages, the injured worker must prove that the employer was negligent in some way. Maritime personal injury claims, on the other hand, are claims against a negligent third-party. An example of a claim against a negligent third-party would be a claim against the manufacturer of a faulty piece of equipment that caused an injury while on a vessel. The damages available to victims of maritime personal injury claims include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. In short, the main difference between a Jones Act claim and a maritime personal injury claim is the type of damages available. A Jones Act claim can only be made against the employer and will only allow damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, while a maritime personal injury claim can be made against a negligent third-party and allow damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

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