Maritime Personal Injury – Jones Act Seaman Inland Waterways
Men and women who work on a boat or barge deserve a safe and well-maintained work environment. All too frequently, poorly maintained equipment and untrained employees cause significant harm to seamen across the state. Fortunately, the Jones Act protects seamen and their right to compensation for the losses caused by their maritime injuries.
If you have received injuries while working on the inland waterways onboard a boat or barge, you are entitled to maintenance benefits and medical care, along with lost wages and other damages. Do not allow the company or its insurance to pay you less than you deserve. The maritime personal injury lawyers at Stepp Law PLLC represent Jones Act seamen who have suffered injuries while performing their duties. From our offices in Houston, Texas, we represent Jones Act seamen throughout Texas and the United States.
What Is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal statute that protects workers on boats and barges on nautical waterways including inland waterways in the United States. It also applies to many maritime regulations regarding vessels that trade between the United States and other countries and territories. This federal law also places strict regulations on the crew aboard these vessels and their employers. The Jones Act helps protect maritime workers’ right to compensation if they are injured on the job. Before the Jones Act was implemented, many workers financed their own medical bills and other expenses associated with their recovery.
According to the Jones Act, an employer may be held liable for any injury or death that occurs on a maritime vessel caused by the negligence of an employee or contractor. This comprehensive legislation also covers injuries sustained due to poorly maintained boats and barges, malfunctioning equipment, or equipment failures. At Stepp Law Firm, we understand how devastating a maritime injury can be and will aggressively fight for your rights to recover compensation for the full extent of your losses.
Examples of Negligence in a Jones Act Case
Working on the inland waterways is dangerous. When companies do not give their workers the right tools, proper training, and equipment or maintain their boats and barges, serious injuries occur. Jones Act seamen are entitled to a workplace that is seaworthy and safe from hazards. However, the following examples of negligence may cause severe injuries while on the job:
- Failing to train employees properly
- Failing to address hazardous leaks and spills
- Cluttered walkways
- Failing to perform regular maintenance on equipment
- Neglecting to provide employees with the correct tools for the job
- Failing to apply a non-skid coating to decks
- Failure to properly light the deck and other workspaces
It is essential to note that you are entitled to a safe workplace, and your employer owes it to you to provide one. Jones Act injuries do not just happen. They are preventable, and it is your employer’s responsibility to prevent them. Even companies that claim to have a “safety-first” policy often try to save money by requiring their employees to work in dangerous conditions. As a Jones Act seaman, you deserve better, and if you are injured, you deserve to be fully compensated for your injuries and other accident-related losses.
Seek Compensation for Damages Suffered in a Maritime Personal Injury Accident
Maritime personal injuries can leave Jones Act seamen suffering from emotional, physical, and financial damages that could have lifelong consequences. At Stepp Law Firm, we are committed to seeking justice for maritime personal injury Jones Act victims in Houston, throughout Texas and the United States for damages, including the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Funeral costs
- In-home rehabilitation
- Disability
- Change in lifestyle
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your injury attorney will review every detail of your case to determine which damages you may be eligible to collect. At Stepp Law Firm, we consider the current and future impact of your injuries to ensure you are compensated fairly and can make a successful recovery.
Contact a Skilled Maritime Personal Injury Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
You may be entitled to Jones Act benefits if you have been injured while working as a Jones Act seaman on the inland waterways, on either a boat or a barge. You have the right to pursue compensation for the full extent of your economic and non-economic losses. Maritime and Jones Act laws vastly differ from typical personal injury laws, which means your attorney must be familiar with the unique complexities of maritime accidents and injuries. At Stepp Law Firm, our lawyers have over 40 years of experience in maritime law, and we understand exactly what it takes to help get our clients the compensation and justice they deserve.
To schedule a free consultation with a Stepp Law Firm maritime personal injury Jones Act attorney, call our office today at (713) 336-7200 or complete our convenient contact form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
