Those working on waterborne vessels are protected in case of injury by the provisions of The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Among its many statutes, The Jones Act extends the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to seamen, giving them to right to sue their employer and receive compensation for on-the-job injuries.
Common injuries to seamen covered under The Jones Act include:
- Explosions
- Watercraft collisions
- Falling objects
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Inadequate training
- Lack of safety equipment
Almost anyone working on a vessel is covered by the Jones Act, similar to Workers’ Compensation Insurance for those employed on land.
The Jones Act makes compensation available for various types of injuries and damages. Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law is your Florida legal team for making Jones Act Claims. Here is a brief overview of the compensation available under Jones Act Claims.
Medical and Other Healthcare Expenses
Jones Act Claims can win you compensation to cover medical expenses you incurred due to your injury, including any future treatments that may be required.
Injured seamen may be able to recover the costs of reasonable healthcare treatment, as well as necessary transportation expenses to get to the treatment.
- Physician treatment
- Hospitalization
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Vocational therapy
- Medications
- Nursing care
- Mental health treatment
Your treating physician determines the type of treatment you require to make a complete recovery or as full a recovery as possible for your injuries.
Lost Earnings and Earning Capacity
Lost earnings and lost earning capacity resulting from an injury on the job can result in compensation under The Jones Act. This covers wages the injured seaman has lost, is losing and will lose because of their injury. They may miss time off work for recovery from their injuries or in the indefinite future if they cannot return to work.
This type of injury compensation can cover the following:
- Wages
- Health insurance
- Vacation time
- Pension
- Retirement earnings through the employer, like 401(k) contributions
- Damages due to loss of future promotions
A Jones Act Attorney from Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law can help you calculate these losses to prepare Jones Act Claims.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering can be broken down into physical and mental pain and suffering. Physical pain and suffering is the pain of the injured seaman’s actual physical injuries and the pain and suffering from scarring, disfigurement and permanency of the injuries.
Mental pain and suffering include things like shock, anxiety, mental anguish, anger, fear, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and humiliation. Significant mental pain and suffering can also cause other notable conditions that require specialist care and long-term therapy.
Florida Jones Act Claims
If you have been injured due to unsafe conditions while working on a sea vessel, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries through The Jones Act. Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law handles Jones Act Claims in Florida from our Miami, Tampa or Orlando offices. Contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your Jones Act injury claim.
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