The Jones Act dictates and regulates the legalities surrounding America’s shipping industry, including commercial marine activities such as harvesting oil.
If you’re involved in the shipping industry and need legal help, you can turn to a maritime lawyer to assist you with any issues covered under the Jones Act.
Here’s how one of these professionals can assist you with your maritime case.
Why Hire a Maritime Lawyer?
Maritime law is a complex and specialized branch of US law.
It involves numerous treaties, laws, and conventions that only apply at sea. Some laws differ according to how many hours you spend at sea and how far you are from the shore.
A maritime attorney understands the unique challenges that apply to seamen and knows all the intricacies of the laws put in place to protect them.
If you sustain a maritime injury, a personal injury lawyer won’t have the necessary skills to help you receive adequate compensation for your case.
Maritime lawyers have intensive knowledge of the following aspects unique to the realm of maritime law:
- Accidents and injuries on international waters
- Maintenance and Cure payments for maritime workers
- Contracts related to seagoing vessels
- Seaworthiness
- Boat owners’ negligence
- Differences between a passenger and a maritime worker
Due to this expertise, they can help you receive a speedy resolution to your maritime lawsuit.
An experienced maritime attorney is familiar with the evidence and strategies needed to reach a satisfactory outcome in your Jones Act compensation case.
When Do You Need a Maritime Lawyer?
Maritime law covers activities that occur on or near the sea, but that doesn’t mean you need a maritime lawyer if you’re injured while swimming in the sea. Most maritime laws apply to commercial or military marine operations.
Common maritime lawsuits involve instances where a maritime company fails to safeguard their employees from accidents like:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Injuries due to collisions, mechanical or otherwise
- Heavy lifting injuries due to rough seas
- Sickness due to poor sanitation onboard
- Mental illness due to traumatic events at sea
As a rule of thumb, any injury at sea involving a boat usually falls under maritime law. If you’re in any doubt, most maritime lawyers offer free consultations to help you figure out your next steps.
It is important to collect and keep any evidence related to your case and present it to the attorney during this meeting. The more paperwork you have, the better they can advise you on whether you have a maritime case.
Navigating the Law
You have a right to represent yourself in court, and you may even manage to pull off a successful personal injury case on your own. It’s never a good idea to attempt a maritime case this way.
You can never understand all the complexities of maritime law, so it’s vital to have a maritime lawyer by your side if you want to receive compensation for your injuries.
Are you curious about more issues to do with US law? Browse our website for more information on a wide range of topics, including common legal matters.
