San Diego Maritime Lawyers

The Jones Act protects seamen who suffer offshore accidents. If you qualify as a seaman under maritime law, a Jones Act lawyer can help you receive compensation for your injuries. We’ll guide you through the legal process and advocate on your behalf. There’s no reason to struggle with medical bills and lost wages. Call a maritime lawyer today.

Why Hire a Maritime Accident Lawyer?

Maritime personal injury cases are governed by a distinct set of statutes. Your average personal injury lawyer has no experience dealing with the complexities of maritime law, also known as admiralty law. Only an experienced maritime injury attorney can help offshore workers deal with the burden of filing an injury claim. They can determine whether an employer’s negligence is responsible for the injury.

Understanding the Jones Act

Since offshore workers cannot receive normal worker’s compensation claims, maritime law makes provisions for their welfare. Under the Jones Act, certain categories of seamen are entitled to compensation for job-related injuries. The law places great responsibility on employers—they must ensure the safety of their vessels and work areas in order to protect the well-being of their workers. If they fail to follow the strict safety standards laid out by the Jones Act, they can be held liable for a seaman’s injuries.

When to File a Claim

The law sets a statute of limitations for Jones Act cases. Injured workers must file a claim within three years of their accident. Since it can take a long time to prepare a case, it’s important to err on the side of caution. Ideally, seamen who suffer injuries while working on an offshore vessel should contact a maritime injury attorney within seven days of their accidents.

How Maintenance and Cure Can Help

A work-related injury is a serious matter. It can lead to hefty medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and many other problems that add up over the long run. Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies rarely offer a fair settlement if left to their own devices. Only an experienced maritime injury attorney knows how to negotiate with all parties in order to achieve the best outcome.

If you’ve been injured on a vessel, contact Maintenance and Cure to hire one of the top-rated maritime law firms in the country. Let our admiralty lawyers deal with the insurance company. Let us work with your employer to ensure a just settlement.