Working at sea comes with unique risks, but as a seaman, your rights are safeguarded by maritime law. These rights are in place to ensure that you’re treated fairly, especially when injuries happen. Whether you’re working on a cargo ship, fishing vessel, or offshore rig, it’s important to know what protections you have. If you’ve been injured on the job, an Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP maritime injury lawyer can help you get the compensation and care you deserve.
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Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, governs the rights and responsibilities of workers on the sea. Seamen have certain protections that differ from land-based workers, recognizing the unique dangers and long hours they face. These rights ensure you’re not left without support if you’re hurt. They cover everything from proper medical care to financial compensation for lost wages and injuries. Knowing these rights helps you understand what to expect if something goes wrong while on the job.
The Jones Act is one of the most important laws that protect seamen. It gives you the right to sue your employer if you suffer an injury due to negligence. This law recognizes that working at sea has hazards that employers must address. If your injury occurs due to unsafe conditions, lack of proper training, or failure to maintain the vessel, the Jones Act allows you to take legal action.
The Jones Act also holds employers accountable for providing a safe work environment. While workers’ compensation covers most land-based employees, seamen have the added protection of the Jones Act, which can result in larger settlements if your maritime injury lawyer can prove negligence.
Click here to read The Basics of Offshore Injury Cases Under the Jones Act
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As a seaman, you’re entitled to “maintenance and cure,” which means your employer must cover your medical expenses and basic living costs until you’re fit to return to work. This applies regardless of fault. If your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence or the vessel’s unseaworthiness, you may also be entitled to additional compensation through a Jones Act claim.
Unseaworthiness refers to any unsafe condition on the vessel that could lead to injury. This can include faulty equipment, slippery decks, or poor safety practices. When these conditions exist and they cause injury, you have the right to seek compensation. Unlike workers’ compensation, the Jones Act allows you to sue your employer if their negligence contributed to the accident.
Understanding how to move forward can feel overwhelming when you’re injured at sea. An experienced maritime injury lawyer will uphold your rights under the Jones Act and maritime law. Whether you’re dealing with an employer who is slow to cover your medical costs or you need to file a lawsuit for negligence, having an attorney who knows the ins and outs of maritime cases can make all the difference.
A maritime injury lawyer with Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP will fight for the compensation you deserve, whether it’s for medical bills, lost wages, or additional damages. You can call 832-402-6648 or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of lawyers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Our lawyers have more than 20 years of legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
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