What Benefits Are Available Under the Jones Act?

October 30, 2009

Federal maritime law governs benefits to injured seamen.

October 30, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Federal maritime law governs benefits to injured seamen. The Jones Act together with the General Maritime Law, provides compensation coverage for injured seamen. The Jones Act is premised upon negligence, and you must establish negligence to obtain benefits under the Jones Act. Slight negligence will support a claim for benefits under the Jones Act. If the negligence causes the harm, even in the slightest, there is a basis for a claim under the Jones Act.

Benefits under the Jones Act include compensation for :

• Past Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Future Lost Wages
• Physical and Psychological Damages
• Vocational Retraining Costs
• Past and Future Medical Expenses
• Lost Earning Capacity
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Nursing Services
• Therapy Bills

There is no limit or schedule to Jones Act benefits. It is up to a judge or jury to decide the amount of your fair compensation. Experienced maritime lawyers know what is fair and how to get the most compensation possible for your injuries.

The lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb and Jacobsen have handled thousands of Jones Act claims. We have recovered compensation large and small for our clients, and work hard to get our clients settlements that are fair and reasonable. Evaluating your case involves complex balancing of the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen prides themselves in giving our clients straight advice about the value of their claims. Getting good settlements means being prepared, knowing the law, and handling your case in a cost effective manner. Few cases go to trial, however, if the settlement offer is not reasonable your lawyer must be prepared to present your case to a judge or jury.

MAINTENANCE AND CURE: It is important to know that additional remedies are available to supplement a Jones Act claim. The General Maritime Law provides basic no fault remedies to seamen who become injured or ill while working in the services of their vessels. These benefits are called maintenance and cure. Maintenance and cure benefits typically go hand-in-hand with a Jones Act claim. Your maintenance and cure benefits include payment of all your reasonable and necessary medical expenses. Maintenance is a daily living allowance that continues until you have reached maximum medical cure. Typically maintenance runs somewhere in the $25-$40 per day range, depending upon your particular situation. The employer must also pay any incidental costs of your medical treatment, such as travel to and from doctor appointments.

UNEARNED WAGES: If you are injured or become ill during the course of your work aboard ship, the employer must pay you wages until the end of voyage. The voyage is considered your mutually agreed upon employment period. You do not have to prove fault to receive unearned wages. In most cases, if an illness or injury prevents you from completing the agreed upon employment period, you will be given wages until the end of that period.

If you have been injured at sea, involved in an Alaska or Seattle maritime accident, please contact an experienced Alaska Jones Act attorney to discuss your case today.

Relevant Links:
Alaska & Seattle Jones Act lawyer (http://www.atsealawyer.com/PracticeAreas/Jones-Act-Maritime-Law.asp)
Alaska & Seattle fishing accident lawyer (http://www.atsealawyer.com/PracticeAreas/Commercial-Fishermen-Accidents.asp)
Seattle maritime injury attorney (http://www.maritimeinjuryclaims.com)
Alaska maritime injury lawyer (http://www.oceaninjuries.com)

Article provided by Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen. The Alaska Maritime Injury & Jones Act lawyers of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen have represented thousands of injured seamen, fishermen, processors, deckhands, tugboat workers, and ferry workers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. Their Seattle Jones Act & maritime law attorneys have won millions of dollars in compensation for injured crewmen. Visit their Web site, http://www.atsealawyer.com, for more information.

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