Is there a limit to the amount of compensation I can receive?
Yes, there is a limit to the amount of compensation you can receive if you are injured in an accident involving a maritime vessel in Washington. Maritime law sets a cap on the amount of money you can receive in damages as a result of an injury sustained while working on a boat or other maritime vessel. This is known as the “Jones Act”, and it limits an injured person’s recovery to the monetary value of the damages they have incurred. The damages that are covered under the Jones Act are limited to lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. These damages are further limited by a “per diem” or daily limit which does not allow for payment of more than a certain amount per day. Additionally, there are limits on the amount of damages for “emotional distress”, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. These limits can be quite significant and, depending on the severity of the injury, may mean the difference between receiving thousands of dollars in damages and just a few hundred. Therefore, it is important for any injured party to consult a maritime injury lawyer to discuss their particular case and determine what their maximum potential legal recovery is likely to be.
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