What Is the Jones Act Negligence?

Jones Act negligence is the failure to exercise ordinary care in discharging the duty owed to those who work on an offshore rig or a Jones Act vessel.

What duty is owed? The duty is to provide a reasonably safe workplace and exercise ordinary care.

An employer is liable under the Jones Act for even “slight” negligence. In other words, a negligent employer is generally liable regardless of how small a role negligence plays in the injury.

Jones Act negligence can include unsafe working hours or conditions, failure to regularly inspect the vessel or rig, failure to warn of hazards, and failure to promptly and properly repair dangerous conditions.

Employers may also be liable if they break any statute or regulation and cause an injury. The law’s enactment to protect the injured worker usually does not matter.

Read More: Navigating The Jones Act

Morrow & Sheppard Pursue Jones Act Negligence Claims

Houston Jones Act lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard are privileged to represent injured offshore workers and vessel crewmen in suits against their employers.

We are members of the Maritime Law Association, the largest and most prestigious organization for United States lawyers who practice maritime law.

We were promoted to partners at prestigious firms, where large companies and executives—the ones who, in many cases, will decide whether or not to settle your case—paid us millions to represent them. Those companies know us and don’t want to face us in court.

Please contact us now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights.