The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Act of 1920, is a federal law which obligates maritime employers to offer compensation and benefits to seamen injured in accidents caused by negligence of an employer. Depend on the circumstances of the injury, a seaman may be eligible for compensation to cover current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning ability, as well as physical and mental suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident in Louisiana, our New Orleans maritime injury lawyer at The Chopin Law Firm LLC is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. With more than 50 years of experience, we possess the comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws to help you make the best recovery from injury possible.
Both the Jones Act and workers’ compensation provide some form of compensation when an employee has suffered an injury while performing job duties. The main difference is that seaman cannot file a workers’ compensation claim.
In a Jones Act claim, the injury must be caused by an employer’s negligence. By contrast, it doesn’t matter if the employer or coworker was responsible for injuries in a workers’ comp claim. Fortunately, all wages are recoverable under the Jones Act, while employees only receive a portion of their lost wages. Clearly, there is more compensation available through the Jones Act in comparison to workers’ compensation.
The Jones Act applies to seaman and those who work on:
After suffering the injury, do not settle a claim with your employer before speaking with our New Orleans maritime accident attorney. We understand what it takes to maximize your rights and compensation under federal law.
Do not hesitate to contact us at (504) 475-2429 and request a free consultation today.
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