Nationwide Jones Act Attorneys
America depends on our workers on the water. Protecting offshore and maritime workers who are injured should be a top priority. Many of our laws, including the Jones Act and maritime law, have been created for that very reason.
Navigating maritime law can be tough. But you do not have to do it alone.
If you live in the United States and have been injured offshore or on a floating vessel, under the law, you may be entitled to damages including lost wages and earning capacity, medical care costs, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Even though the law may entitle you to these damages, you typically will not be paid them unless you file a claim.
Millions Recovered. Our maritime lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for Jones Act seamen around the country.
Nationwide Experience. In the past few years, we have represented Texas rig roustabouts, Louisiana supply boat deckhands, Mississippi rig workers injured in Africa, fishermen injured in Alaska, seismic equipment operators from New Hampshire, and supply vessel technicians from Arkansas. And that’s just to name a few.
Real Trial Lawyers. We are a trial firm. We are not afraid of the courtroom. Even if you want to settle your case out of court, this is important. Companies typically pay more in settlement if they know your lawyers will take them to court.
No Fee Promise. You do not have to pay out of pocket to hire our firm. We do not recover a fee unless you win.
Do I Have A Claim? Request A Free Case Review Today!
Regardless of whether you end up filing a claim, you should try to get all the available information. That process starts with a free, no-strings-attached consultation with our firm. Any communication you send, or call you make to our lawyers, will be protected, and kept confidential.
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What Our Clients Are Saying
No Fee Unless We Win
At Morrow & Sheppard LLP, we understand the hardships of trying to heal and make sense of an accident. That is why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means no fee unless we win the case. Our fee is a percentage of the verdict or settlement we obtain for you.
What Does A Jones Act Attorney Do?
A Jones Act attorney can assist maritime workers in reaching a settlement in several ways, such as assisting with medical expenses, gathering evidence, and providing legal advice. At Morrow & Sheppard LLP, we provide free legal advice to those who were catastrophically injured while working on a vessel during our free, confidential consultation. We evaluate the case and pursue it in the most effective way possible under the law. An experienced Jones Act attorney can be found by calling (800) 489-2216 or using the contact form on this site. Let’s talk about your situation and the Jones Act claims settlement options that may be available to you. All Jones Act claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, and if a client seeks financial relief, there’s no fee unless we win their case.
The Jones Act is a law that protects maritime workers who are injured while working on a U.S. commercial vessel. This can include shipmates, longshoremen, and others. The act applies to anyone who works aboard ships that sail between U.S. ports or between the United States and other countries. The Jones Act lawyer will represent you in your maritime injury claim if you have been seriously hurt while performing your job duties aboard a vessel. The Jones Act attorneys at Morrow & Sheppard will help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries so that you can return to living your life as fully as possible again after the maritime accident occurs.
About The Jones Act
The Jones Act was first passed in 1920. The legislation, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires that all ships that transport cargo between U.S. ports be constructed primarily for use on U.S. commercial vessels and must have a crew made up primarily of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the country. The Jones Act also ensures there can only be one employer for every worker in the U.S. maritime industry, known as a “cabotage” law. This means if you are a U.S. seaman working on an American-made ship with other maritime workers aboard, then your employment will always remain within this system unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties involved.
What Are My Legal Rights Under The Jones Act?
Qualifying maritime workers have the ability to sue for damages following a fatality, illness, or injury while working on and aboard a vessel under the Jones Act. According to the Jones Act, one can pursue compensation on behalf of another occupant if they are injured as a result of the vessel operator’s or a third party’s negligence. It applies to any equipment at sea that suffers damage due to negligence. The act guarantees that the maritime worker has a right of return.
Claims of Unseaworthiness Under the Jones Act
The Jones Act contains provisions that safeguard seamen from the types of negligence that can result in a catastrophic accident or explosion. A claim of unseaworthiness can be brought when a vessel owner has neglected to fulfill their legal responsibility to provide a seaworthy vessel. A vessel owner is not allowed to shift this obligation not anyone else, and the vessel must be deemed reasonably safe for the type of endeavor is it embarking on.
The Jones Act lawyers often deal with catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to passengers, offshore workers, and seamen. These injuries can be sustained because of,
- Burns from fires and explosions
- Drownings or near-drownings
- Falls overboard
- Broken bones caused by falls from defective ladders
- Slips and falls on slippery surfaces, including ships’ decks and gangways
- Conveyor belt accidents
- Accidents on ships, including tugboats and barges
- Crane accidents caused by improper use of equipment or lack of training
Filing A Maritime Injury Claim with a Jones Act Attorney
If you would like to file a Jones Act claim, you must work with an experienced Jones Act attorney. These lawyers specialize in cases such as yours and can help you get the settlement or jury award that your case deserves. Maritime injuries are some of the hardest types of claims to win against large companies who have their own legal teams, so working alongside an experienced Jones Act lawyer will be beneficial when trying to gain maximum compensation for damages caused by negligence aboard a vessel.
The general procedure for bringing a Jones Act claim is outlined below, although the process may vary from case to case. You should immediately consult with an experienced Jones Act lawyer for specific information regarding your unique circumstances.
- Report the injury – The first step in a Jones Act case is to report the injury as soon as possible, and this helps gather evidence and create an official record of your maritime injury claim.
- Seek medical treatment – It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as you can. This will help with your claim if the injuries are serious.
- Contact a Jones Act attorney – You should consult with a lawyer, who will review your case and determine whether they believe you have grounds for filing a lawsuit against an at-fault party.
- File a lawsuit – Once it has been determined that there is enough evidence of negligence to file suit, then the injured worker may begin filing their claims in the appropriate court. The complaint must be filed within two years from the time of injury under most circumstances.
Bringing A Jones Act Claim
Investigating and bringing claims under the Jones Act involves complicated legal issues and analysis. If you or a loved one has been injured while working at sea or as a harbor worker, it is important that you hire an experienced Jones Act attorney.
Morrow & Sheppard have unparalleled experience, both as partners at prestigious firms handling maritime cases for corporations, and now as trial attorneys representing the injured.
We also have membership and access to resources of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, arguably the most prestigious maritime law and Jones Act organization in the country.
Contact the Houston Jones Act Lawyer For A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured while working on a vessel, contact an experienced Houston Jones Act attorney at Morrow & Sheppard LLP. We will review your case and determine whether they believe you have grounds for filing a suit against an at-fault party. We offer free, confidential consultations to all of our clients who are interested in taking legal action.
Request A Free Case Consultation Today!
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Practice Areas We Handle
Our experienced Houston personal injury attorneys want to understand your unique situation so we can provide legal guidance that will help you obtain a favorable result. We have experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today! You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
