The Jones Act is a federal law that provides certain rights and protections to qualifying seamen who are injured during the course of their employment. Because Florida has extensive cruise, offshore, cargo, ferry, and commercial fishing operations, many maritime workers may have rights under the Jones Act when an injury occurs.
This page provides general information about the Jones Act and its role in maritime injury cases. It is not legal advice.
A maritime worker may be considered a seaman if they:
Qualification depends on the specific facts of each worker’s job duties and vessel activities.
Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman may pursue a claim if employer negligence played a role in the incident. Possible elements include:
The law allows injured seamen to seek compensation for lost wages, medical treatment, and other damages depending on the circumstances of the incident.
Regardless of fault, maritime employers must typically provide “maintenance and cure,” which includes:
These obligations continue until the injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement.
Maritime injury cases often involve strict reporting rules and filing deadlines. Delays may affect available options. Workers are encouraged to:
For general maritime worker rights information, the U.S. Department of Labor provides resources here.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. FloridaMaritimeLawyers.com is not a law firm.