Differentiating Between Jones Act Law and General Maritime Law

If you're injured while on the job in Louisiana or Mississippi, a maritime accident attorney may be able to help you with the otherwise complex process of suing for emotional distress and injury in a maritime incident. 

There are certain requirements you must meet in order for your case to fall under the laws of maritime law or Jones Act law. Maritime law applies to any injury that occurs as the result of an accident that takes place on a navigable body of water or waterway, such as the Gulf of Mexico or Mississippi River. If that condition is satisfied, then maritime laws apply. This is a federal law, and you can assume that if an accident warrants the involvement of the Coast Guard, maritime law applies. 

Your accident may also fall within Jones Act law. The Jones Act is a federal law that gives more protections to injured workers who are generally permanently assigned to a vessel. In order to qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you must spend a certain amount of time working aboard a ship, and longshoremen are typically not considered Jones Act seamen. 

If you've been injured in a Mississippi maritime accident that involved the Coast Guard or any other accident, contact an attorney who will assist you in suing for emotional distress and injury if negligence played a role in your accident.

Contact a Louisiana or Mississippi Maritime Accident Attorney

Maritime law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. A maritime law attorney from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana, can help you if you have suffered boating accident injuries, an offshore accident or other injuries that fall under maritime law or the Jones Act. 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 Jones Act injury case, we urge you to contact us today for a FREE case evaluation - call 504-680-4100 or tollfree at 866-938-6113.