Jones Act Claims: Your Strongest Maritime Injury Protection
The Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence—something land-based workers can't do. Combined with unseaworthiness claims, it's the most powerful maritime injury law in the world.
What Counts as Negligence
Employer NegligenceCreates Jones Act Claims
Jones Act negligence doesn't require gross misconduct. Any failure to provide a safe workplace can create liability if it contributes to your injury.
Inadequate Safety Training
- Failure to train on specific equipment hazards
- No safety protocols for known dangerous conditions
- Inadequate emergency response training
- Failure to update training for new equipment
Recent Case: $4.2M settlement - Inadequate crane operation training
Defective Equipment
- Known mechanical failures not repaired
- Inadequate maintenance schedules
- Using equipment beyond safe limits
- Failure to replace worn safety equipment
Recent Case: $8.7M verdict - Defective winch caused fall
Unsafe Working Conditions
- Slippery decks without proper treatment
- Inadequate lighting in work areas
- Exposure to toxic substances without protection
- Weather operations beyond safe limits
Recent Case: $12.3M settlement - H₂S exposure negligence
Inadequate Supervision
- Unqualified supervisors making safety decisions
- Failure to enforce safety procedures
- Pressure to work unsafely for production
- Inadequate crew size for safe operations
Recent Case: $6.8M verdict - Supervisor negligence in lifting operations
Settlement Value Factors
What Drives Jones ActSettlement Values
Age of Injured Seaman
Younger = higher lifetime earning capacity
Can increase settlement 2-5x
Degree of Employer Negligence
Clear violations = higher settlements
Can add 50-200% to base damages
Severity of Injury
Permanent disability = maximum recovery
$2.77M average for back injuries
Pre-Injury Earnings
Higher wages = higher lost income calculations
Offshore workers: $80K-150K+ annually
Jones Act Settlements: Real Numbers
Maximum Recovery Strategy
Jones Act + Unseaworthiness= Maximum Recovery
Jones Act Negligence
- Standard: Any failure in providing safe workplace
- Proof: Employer knew or should have known of hazard
- Damages: Economic + non-economic losses
- Fault: Can be reduced by seaman's comparative fault
Unseaworthiness
- Standard: Absolute duty—no need to prove negligence
- Proof: Any defective condition in vessel/equipment
- Damages: Full compensation for all losses
- Fault: No comparative fault reduction
The Powerful Combination
Filing both claims gives injured seamen two paths to recovery and often results in higher settlements. Insurance companies know juries understand that vessels should be safe and employers should protect their workers.
Injured seaman?
The Jones Act gives you rights that land-based workers don't have. Let us show you what your case is worth under federal maritime law