Jones Act Lawyer Paducah, KY
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, aka The Jones Act, is a federal law that permits an injured maritime worker to file a lawsuit for compensation against their employer following a maritime workplace accident injury. Instead of workers’ compensation, which covers almost all other employees, ship crews, longshoremen, and dock workers may be eligible for benefits through the Jones Act.
You are entitled to demand full compensation for any medical treatment and rehabilitation you may have needed after the accident, as well as compensation for the physical pain and disfigurement, limitations, and a loss of earning capacity if you’re disabled and cannot work. Our Paducah, KY Jones Act lawyer from Katz Law can evaluate your case and represent you against your employer and their insurance company, getting the money you need to heal and move on.
The Jones Act: What You Need To Know After A Maritime Injury
The Jones Act was drafted by lawmakers who recognized the unique danger of working aboard an ocean or river vessel. Even with strict safety measures, the environment is still inherently dangerous, and help may be miles away in an emergency. This law protects seamen, sailors, and other specific workers aboard American vessels operating in navigable waters, like the Ohio River.
Even if you’re not specifically covered by the Jones Act, you may still be eligible for compensation after a workplace injury. Harbor workers and longshoremen, for example, are covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Determining your eligibility and filing for compensation can be tricky, though, especially if you’re recovering from a serious injury and unsure when you’ll be able to work again. An experienced Kentucky maritime lawyer can help you assert your rights.
How Can A Paducah Jones Act Lawyer Help Me?
The Jones Act permits covered workers to collect compensation for past, present, and future medical care, including specialist care, physical therapy, and surgery. Some workers may be injured to the point that they need in-home care or nursing home accommodations, and you’re entitled to have those costs covered, too. A Jones Act lawyer can evaluate your claim and work with medical experts to quantify your ongoing care costs.
You’re also eligible to claim lost wages from the time you missed work and reduced earning capacity if you’re disabled to the point where you can no longer work in the same capacity you had before the accident. An attorney may solicit the opinion of an economic expert witness to stipulate the lifetime earning loss from the accident, bolstering your claim.
Finally, you can demand non-economic damages, the pain and suffering, and the emotional trauma of the accident. Maritime accidents are scary, and many victims develop mental health concerns following the incident. While you don’t have to have a lawyer to claim Jones Act benefits, an attorney can help ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to.
Do you need help collecting the compensation you’re entitled to after a maritime injury? Contact Katz Law today for a free consultation with an experienced Paducah Jones Act lawyer.
