Jones Act in New Orleans: Legal Services to Offshore Workers

The Jones Act is a law that provides legal protections to offshore workers in New Orleans. If you are injured while working on an offshore drilling platform or vessel, you may be able to file a Jones Act claim to receive compensation for your injuries.

At Big Easy Injury Attorney, we understand the complexities of the Jones Act and can help you navigate the claims process. We have a team of experienced Jones Act lawyers who can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.

If you have been injured in an offshore accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is the Jones Act in New Orleans?

The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a United States federal law that regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports.

It requires that all goods shipped by water between U.S. ports be carried on vessels that are built in the United States, owned by American citizens, and crewed by American citizens and permanent residents.

The Jones Act also establishes minimum safety standards for these vessels and their crews.

It also protects seamen who are injured while working aboard a vessel that is registered in the United States.

Additionally, the Jones Act provides seamen with two important rights:

• the right to bring a lawsuit against their employer for negligence,
• and the right to receive maintenance and cure benefits if they are injured while working.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

The Jones Act in New Orleans provides protections for seamen that are injured while working. These protections include a statute of limitations or the amount of time you have to file a claim.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a Jones Act claim.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

• If you were not able to discover the injury right away, you may have up to one year from the date of discovery to file a claim.
• If the employer intentionally concealed the injury, you may have up to five years from the date of discovery to file a claim.
• If you are filing a claim for wrongful death, you have one year from the date of death to file.

What Compensation Can Be Awarded?

In Jones Act cases, workers can receive both:

• Economic – Economic damages include things like lost wages and medical expenses.
• Noneconomic – These are more difficult to quantify, and can include things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
  Jones Act cases are usually decided by a jury, who will weigh the evidence and decide on an appropriate amount of damages.

Contact Us to Discuss Any Potential Jones Act Claim

If you’ve been injured while working on a vessel in New Orleans, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

The experienced maritime injury attorneys at Big Easy Injury Attorney can help you recover the damages you may be entitled to. Contact us today for a free consultation!