The Merchant Marine Act—better known as the Jones Act—is similar to workers’ compensation insurance, but it is intended to provide benefits to maritime workers who are masters or crew members of vessels and are injured in the course of performing job-related duties.
One of the primary differences between the Jones Act and standard workers’ compensation is that in Jones Act claims, workers who are injured in maritime accidents must prove that their injuries were the result of negligence on behalf of a vessel’s owners, operators, officers or coworkers. This may include establishing that a vessel was unsafe or unseaworthy, that officers or fellow crew members did not follow safety protocols, or that working conditions were unsafe and lacked proper warning, among other possibilities.
If you were injured in a maritime accident in the Virginia area, the admiralty maritime attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman may be able to help you file your Jones Act claim and pursue additional compensation for your injuries. Because the laws governing maritime accidents are complex, it’s important to consult with an experienced maritime attorney.
Common injuries in Jones Act claims include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Concussions
- Cuts and lacerations
- Electrocution
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
If you were injured or lost a family member to a maritime accident, please contact the Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Hampton, Virginia, maritime accident attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman for your free consultation.
