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Houston Jones Act Lawyer

Grimes & Fertitta > Personal Injury  > Workplace Injuries > Houston Jones Act Lawyer

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As a seaman, your job brings unique risks that aren’t typically covered by worker’s compensation laws. Instead, your rights in regard to workplace injuries are nested under the “Jones Act.” If you or a loved one have suffered because of a serious maritime injury, you need a Houston Jones Act lawyer to help seek compensation for your injuries.

Whether you were injured in an oil rig accident, on a fishing boat, by slipping and falling, or as a result of any other maritime accident, the seasoned personal injury lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta can help you pursue a claim against your employer. They already have a strong legal team backing them up. So should you. Give us a call at (713) 224-7644 or contact us online for a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help protect your rights.

What is a Jones Act lawsuit?

The Jones Act is a subsection of The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 that extends the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to seafaring industries, allowing seamen who have been injured or developed an illness while traveling navigable waters to open Jones Act injury settlements against their employers.

Under the Jones Act, actions can be brought against employers in both federal and state courts. And as stated by section 46 U.S.C.§ 30104: “a seaman injured in the course of employment or, if the seaman dies from the injury, the personal representative of the seaman may elect to bring a civil action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer. Laws of the United States regulating recovery for personal injury to, or death of, a railway employee apply to an action under this section.”

In other words, the seaman or their representative is given the right to a jury trial — a right that is typically not offered in maritime law and is best approached with a successful maritime attorney in Houston on your side.

Who does the Jones Act protect?

Qualifying seamen are defined as any persons — whether they are crew, kitchen staff, or captain — who spends at least 30% of their time aboard a vessel and includes any illness or injury suffered as the result of employer negligence.

However, maritime law can make it difficult to determine whether you qualify. If you or a loved one were injured at work and think that you might qualify as a Jones Act seamen, contact one of our Houston Jones Act lawyers immediately. Employer promises to take care of you during your time of need are not always met and you may be given far less than you would if you were granted Jones Act worker’s compensation with the help of a maritime personal injury lawyer.

Negligence claims under the Jones Act

Your employer is required by law to create a safe working environment for their employees. Failure to do so is negligent and can result in preventable injuries.

Examples of injuries or illnesses that may warrant Jones Act claims include:

  • Grease or oil on the deck that leads to a slip and fall accident
  • Suffering brain injury as result of falling machinery (Learn more about how a Houston brain injury lawyer can help.)
  • Exposure to toxic materials
  • Failure to identify malfunctioning equipment results in death of employee

When an employer’s negligence causes injuries like the ones listed above, they may try to avoid responsibility, denying you the compensation and they are required to pay you. Whether or not your employer has made you a promise or accepted responsibility, hiring a Houston Jones Act lawyer can help you build your case and obtain the help that you are promised by law. In worst case scenarios, they can also help you take the necessary steps in a wrongful death lawsuit so that you can focus on mourning your loved one.

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Looking to claim Jones Act worker’s compensation? Contact Grimes & Fertitta today!

If you or a loved one were injured on the job and are looking to pursue compensation under the Jones Act for past, current, and future expenses, you’re going to need a skilled Houston Jones Act lawyer like the ones from Grimes & Fertitta on your side. Your employer and their insurance companies may try to deny any wrongdoing on their end, therefore denying you the damages you deserve. We can help you understand your rights as protected by the Jones Act to fight back.

Don’t let your employer get away with reckless safety practices. Call the Jones Act personal injury lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta today at (713) 224-7644 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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