7 Conditions that May Signal an Unseaworthy Vessel in Jones Act Claims

If you’re considering filing a Jones Act claim of unseaworthiness against the owner of a vessel where you worked, you’ll need to show evidence of how the vessel’s condition created the potential for your injury accident to occur.

The following are 7 unseaworthy conditions that could result in Jones Act claims against vessel owners or manufacturers: 

• improperly maintained vessels;
• weak or unstable structures on the vessel (ladders, railings, etc.);
• lack of safety equipment;
• lack of necessary crew;
• inadequate accommodations for nutritional and hygienic needs;
• slippery walking surfaces; and
• incompetent, improperly trained or criminal crew members. 

Showing proof of these conditions can be difficult, as many of them are only evidenced by documentation the vessel owner holds. The vessel owner, in most cases, won’t be eager to give you access to these documents, which is where a New Orleans lawyer for Jones Act claims can help.

A maritime injury law firm in Louisiana may have more resources to draw from and power to obtain necessary evidence than you’d have alone. Jones Act lawyers who handle offshore injury claims against employers can help you handle claims against vessel owners when their unseaworthy vessel causes your injuries.

If you were injured on a vessel and the accident was caused by the unseaworthiness of that vessel, you may have 2 separate Jones Act claims to file. A maritime injury law firm in Louisiana has the resources that may help you handle your situation.

A New Orleans Lawyer Can Help With Jones Act Claims

The Jones Act law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. If you suffer a maritime injury a law firm in Louisiana like The Young Firm in New Orleans has Jones Act lawyers that can help you with Jones Act claims. 

Though we are based in Louisiana, we are ready and able to help injured victims throughout the U.S. Order our free Maritime Injury Law guide and/or our guide to what to do when you are injured offshore to learn all about your rights as an injured worker. 

When you are ready to get started with your offshore accident injury case, we urge you to contact us today for a FREE case evaluation – call 1-504-680-4100 or toll-free at 1-866-938-6113.