Jones Act Settlements

While the maritime industry continues to play a vital role in American commerce, injuries and accidents at sea are an increasing threat to workers. Because of this, the Jones Act is an important part of helping maritime workers protect themselves and their livelihoods while taking on such dangerous work.

As personal injury lawyers, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have experience helping maritime workers with personal injury cases. Whether injured at sea or working at a dock, we can help you take legal action to fight for the compensation your injuries entitle you to.

Read on to see how Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you secure a Jones Act settlement that can help you manage your finances and recover after a serious maritime accident.

What is the Jones Act?

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 regulates American maritime commerce. It is often referred to as the Jones Act because Senator Wesley Jones originally sponsored the bill to become a law. While the Jones Act has many components of general maritime law, it also allows injured seamen to sue employers who have been negligent or who operate unseaworthy vessels.

Since the 1920s, maritime injuries have increased in size and complexity every year, meaning more companies are putting workers’ lives at risk to increase profits and stay competitive.

There have been notable incidents in the last 100 years where company negligence led to a serious maritime accident and a resulting disaster at sea. The Jones Act is designed to help an injured worker hold a company liable if its negligence leads to an accident.

How to Estimate Your Jones Act Injury Settlement

It is not possible to give you an exact figure for what your Jones Act settlement will amount to. Every case is unique, and that means specific factors in your case can change how much you can collect in compensation. If a Jones Act Lawsuit is settled out of court, the amount can change drastically as well.

A Jones Act Claim is often settled out of court as a way for companies to protect their reputations. Fortunately, that also means your case can be settled quickly, and your legal team has more control over the amount that you receive.

The best way to estimate your Jones Act lawsuit settlement amount is to look at the claims you filed. When you calculate your possible Jones Act settlements, the amount should be based on the claims included in the lawsuit. Our law firm can give you a better estimate based on previous experience and previous cases after taking a closer look at your case.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

When pursuing a Jones Act settlement, choosing Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers ensures that you have a dedicated and experienced legal team on your side. With a deep understanding of maritime law and the Jones Act, our attorneys have successfully secured substantial settlements for injured seamen and maritime workers across the country.

• $4,000,000 – Settlement for a deckhand who suffered burns to his arms and legs when a fire broke out on deck due to improperly stored fuel.
• $3,100,000 – Recovery for a crewmember who injured his arm and shoulder when a rack with cargo hauling material collapsed on him. The injury will prevent this man from returning to his position due to medical limitations.
• $1,500,000 – Jones Act lawsuit settlement for a captain who slipped on deck due to oil. The injury was disputed as a pre-existing condition.
• $630,000 – Settlement for a laborer who cut his leg on a piece of metal that had come loose around a doorway. Our attorneys demonstrated that the vessel was improperly maintained and failed to be repaired despite prior reports of the condition.

We are committed to holding negligent employers accountable and maximizing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care. Our client-centered approach, combined with a proven track record in Jones Act cases, makes Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers the trusted choice for navigating the complexities of your claim.

Types of Compensation Recovered by Maritime Workers in Jones Act Settlements

The types of compensation available in Jones Act settlements are often slightly different than what is available in other types of personal injury cases.

Medical Costs

Medical costs are the most prominent set of claims in a maritime injury case. Your injuries come with a range of costs, such as:

• Past medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Occupational therapy
• Cost of emergency services
• Follow-up surgeries
• Full-time nursing care

In most cases, victims are unprepared for these expenses and struggle to come up with payments for them. This can hurt your recovery since many of those medical expenses are not negotiable.

Lost Wages

It is common for anyone with an injury in a maritime job to be out of work for a while afterward. In Jones Act lawsuits, you can recover:

• Lost income
• Lost future wages
• Lost fringe benefits, such as disability insurance, health insurance, retirement benefits, and non-wage perks
• Lost potential earning capacity

Pain and Suffering

You can also request compensation for past and future pain and suffering. This includes mental pain and mental anguish, as well as sexual dysfunction and mood swings. Money cannot compensate for emotional pain or emotional distress. However, it can help.

How to File a Jones Act Lawsuit

To file, you should first seek medical attention immediately after being injured. These records will serve as important evidence in your legal case. You’ll also need to gather any other evidence that you can to support your case.

You will need to prove negligence as the legal basis for your claim. This can include a dangerous condition that contributes to your injury or even policies that put those in maritime jobs at risk.

After gathering evidence, it is time to find a Jones Act lawyer. They can file a claim and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. Often, it is possible to receive a fair settlement offer without having to go to court. If not, your lawyer will bring your case to trial.

Contact Maritime Lawyers for Jones Act Claims Today

Being injured in a maritime job is likely in many positions, but that does not absolve companies from implementing appropriate safety measures. Failing to do so makes them liable for your injuries, especially if those injuries reduce your earning capacity and make it difficult to make ends meet.

You can take legal action to recover compensation for past and future damages, making it possible to make a more complete recovery. To do this, start by consulting with a maritime injury lawyer to review your case.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work with clients to recover compensation for past and future losses due to work injuries. We know what it takes to get a settlement that can cover your expenses and help make you whole again.

Contact us by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757. A member of our team can review your case and help you take the right legal actions going forward.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.