Seamanship is a skill that has been in existence for hundreds of years. The Vikings were amazing seaman who were able to reach the Mediterranean and even North America, hundreds of years before the first Spaniards reached the shores. This seamanship culture has continued through a millennia of different civilizations, countries, and traditions, leading to modern seaman. While seamanship has expanded from its in initial goal of finding a “new world,” seaman still have the same inherent risks in their job as they did hundreds of years ago. If you or a loved one were injured during the course of your employment as a seaman, you are entitled to bring a claim for your injuries.

Injuries while onboard a vessel are not a new occurrence. Vessels have gone through numerous iterations, but injuries still often occur at sea due to unseaworthiness and negligence of the crew or vessel operator. The increased prevalence of offshore oil rigs and platforms have only exacerbated the number of injuries that can occur while seaman are engaged in their employment. Like any onshore employee, seaman are also susceptible to receive injuries due to slip and fall accidents, machinery accidents, or falls. However, seaman are at a heightened risk of accidents which are unique to vessels that can often be more severe than any received during the normal course of employment on land.

The Jones Act was established in 1920 as a method for seaman to recovery for injuries sustained during the course of their employment. Traditional workers have consistently been able to recovery under workers’ compensation acts, as well as state personal injury claims. However, seaman often did not fall within state laws and therefore had no course of action against their employer for their employer’s negligence which led to injuries. The Jones Act changed all this and allowed seaman to seek compensation against their employer for injuries sustained during the course of their employment at sea.

The compensation seaman may receive will often take into consideration:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering

An experienced maritime law attorney will be able to assist you in determining the full amount of damages you are entitled to receive as a result of your injuries.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident on the high seas, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in handling many types of maritime claims, including those resulting in seaman injury. The United States Congress has implemented different Acts over the last century which help protect seaman who have been injured at sea and work to ensure that they and their families receive the compensation they deserve. Tony Malley will assist you in drafting claims under these Acts and in calculating your potential damages. Contact our Texas offices today for your initial free consultation.