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What is the Jones Act? - Defining Jones Act Employees |
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The Jones Act allows seamen to be compensated when they are injured as a result of the negligence of a ship owner, a captain or other crewmember of a vessel. |
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| Author: Paula Blackburn |
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Injured Seaman Status
To be considered an injured seaman a person must have been:
• Injured while a vessel is in navigation
• The injured worker must have been on the vessel to contribute to the functioning of that vessel
• The injured worker must have a permanent connection to the vessel
• The injured worker’s relationship to the vessel must be the determining factor in the seaman’s status, and not the circumstances that caused the injury
An injured seaman has certain rights that they are not always made aware of by their employers who are concerned with protecting their own interests. The Jones Act allows an injured seaman to receive temporary monetary benefits that the Jones Act refers to as transportation, wages, maintenance and cure. It is the ship owners’ responsibility to ensure that the injured seaman is returned home, paid a portion of lost wages, and provided medical care until the seaman has recovered to their maximum level.
Who is Covered Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act covers workers on inland river vessels as well as offshore workers. The vessels may include barges, tug boats, floating cranes, drilling ships, crew boats, tankers, dredges, shrimp boats, cargo ships, fishing vessels, cruise ships, construction ships and other floating structures.
A worker who spends less than 30% of their time on a vessel in navigable waters is considered not to be a seaman. However, this rule does not always apply. An experienced maritime injury lawyer can investigate the facts of your case and determine if you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act or not.
About Author
If you have been injured in a maritime accident or have questions about maritime injuries and the Jones Act, please visit the website of the Alabama maritime injury attorneys at Long & Waite, P.C. today to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
Article Source:
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