What is a ‘Jones Act Seaman’ and how does it affect my claim?

A ‘Jones Act Seaman’ is an employee who works on an American maritime vessel. This individual may be employed as a captain, a crew member, or other work related to the operation of the vessel. The Jones Act is a federal law that provides special legal rights for these seafaring employees and protects them from employer negligence. The Jones Act requires employers to provide their seaman employees with “maintenance and cure”, which means that the employer is responsible for providing medical bills for the seaman if they are injured while working. Additionally, the employer is required to provide the seaman with wages while they are out of work due to their injury. If the employer does not provide the correct maintenance and cure, and the seaman is injured while working, they may have a claim to compensation. If a Jones Act Seaman has been injured while working in Pennsylvania, they may be able to make a claim for damages that exceed the maintenance and cure. This type of claim is known as a Maritime Injury Law claim. In order to file such a claim, a Jones Act Seaman must show that they were injured due to the employer’s negligence. Examples of negligence may include failure to provide a safe work environment, failure to provide proper safety equipment, or failure to train employees correctly. The Jones Act Seaman can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages that have been incurred due to their injury. The amount of compensation varies and is typically based on the seriousness of the injury and the extent of the employer’s negligence. In Pennsylvania, a Jones Act Seaman has the right to seek legal counsel and file a claim against their employer for compensation.

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What is a ‘Jones Act Seaman’ and how does it affect my claim?

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