If you are hurt while offshore working for an employer, it’s important that you’re able to pursue compensation. Through the Jones Act, you may be able to seek compensation for any negligence of your employer. You may also be able to seek compensation if the vessel you were working on was not sea-worthy.
It’s necessary to seek compensation as soon as you can after an injury. That way, you’ll be able to get the medical care you need and also have the opportunity to recovery while not being concerned about your lost income.
What kinds of acts constitute negligence?
For the purposes of your claim, negligence could be when:
- Your employer failed to adequately hire or train the staff of a vessel
- The employer failed to hire enough staff
- The employer failed to provide the right protective gear, clothing or equipment for your job
- You were forced to work in unreasonably dangerous weather conditions
- The employer didn’t enforce safety measures onboard the vessel
These could be good reasons to seek compensation under the Jones Act.
How unseaworthiness matters
Unseaworthiness also matters. If a vessel was poorly maintained, you may be able to seek compensation for any injuries you suffered. Unseaworthiness claims might be made when:
- There was an inadequate crew on board
- The decks, passageways or gangways were slick or poorly maintained
- The employer required extreme or dangerous work methods
- There were not enough lifeboats
- The hulls, bulkheads or rails were defective
If these unseaworthiness issues were present, you may have a claim. It’s a good idea to look into the protections you’re offered under the Jones Act. This may be a complex case, but you deserve an opportunity to seek fair compensation.