New Jersey Jones Act Attorney
We have represented clients from Maine to Florida,
from the Atlantic shore to the Pacific, and we can be there for you.
Ships are some of the most dangerous, even deadly, places on earth to work. Surrounded by machinery, a hostile marine environment, slippery surfaces, constantly changing conditions and confined spaces, the occurrence of accidents and injuries is all too common. Every day, merchant seamen and longshoremen face serious hazards including:
- Back and neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Traumatic injuries, such as amputation, blindness or brain injury
- Crush injuries and broken bones
- Death
If you have been injured while working onboard a vessel, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act and other applicable federal laws. You may be able to claim for maintenance and cure, lost wages, pain and suffering and lost capacity for the enjoyment of life. The Jones Act also applies to injuries resulting from the unseaworthiness of a ship, even if there was no negligence involved.
Have you or a loved one been injured while working aboard a vessel? Call the law firm of Edward R. Petkevis, PC, at our nationwide toll-free phone number, 1-800-834-9892, for your no-obligation consultation. You may also fill out a contact form and someone from our firm will be in touch with you promptly.
Who is Covered Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects merchant seamen, including commercial fishermen, clammers, scallopers and long-line fishermen. In conjunction with the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, the law also protects longshoremen, workers that are not merchant seamen but are engaged in marine employment such as loading and unloading vessels or working in marine environments such as on construction platforms on the water.
Under the Jones Act, a "crewmember" of a vessel may be more broadly defined than you think. If you are uncertain about your status, or want to learn more about your rights and options under the Jones Act, contact us today about your case. Your initial consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
What Types of Vessels Are Covered under the Jones Act?
A vessel is any contrivance floating on navigable waters that is being used or is capable of being used as transportation on water. Examples include:
- Clam boats
- Scallop boats
- Head boats
- Party boats
- Floating restaurants
- Floating casinos
- Charter fishing vessels
- Tugboats
- Towboats
What Type of Compensation is Available?
As a Jones Act seaman injured while in the furtherance of your employment, whether on sea or land, your employer may be responsible for paying your medical bills ("cure") and paying you a small daily allowance ("maintenance") while you recover from your injuries.
In addition, you may also be able to pursue a claim against your employer if the employer was negligent or if there was something wrong with the vessel that made it unseaworthy, or unfit for its intended purpose.
You may be entitled to recover for past and future economic losses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of capacity to enjoy life, loss of the ability to perform household services and take care of yourself, among other damages under maritime law. You may also be entitled to make a claim for benefits under the Wage Act, including double wages if wages have been wrongfully withheld.
Jones Act claims involve a complicated, specialized area of law. Contact our firm today to schedule a free initial consultation with Lawyer Edward Petkevis. With over 20 years of experience in maritime and admiralty law, he has the knowledge and experience it takes to effectively and thoroughly pursue your claim.
Edward R. Petkevis, PC
Phone: 609-499-4300
Nationwide toll-free: 1-800-834-9892
Fax: 609-499-4929
E-mail the firm
www.landandsealaw.com | www.petkevis.com
