Yes, your family may be entitled to death benefits under the Jones Act if you are injured offshore or killed while working at sea. Although seamen can receive maintenance and cure benefits if injured, there are many other damages that they or their families can claim if they sustain injury or are killed because of employer negligence.
In fact, many large awards have been paid for injuries or deaths at sea. Contact a maritime personal injury attorney at New Orleans-based The Young Firm for legal help.
Injury and Death Benefits Under the Jones Act
If you are injured at sea because of your employer’s negligence, the Jones Act may allow you to recover damages such as:
If you are injured offshore, you may also qualify for non-tangible damages such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering and psychological damages. If you are killed at sea as a result of your employer’s negligence, your family may pursue death benefits under the Jones Act by suing your employer.
Death benefits can pay for:
It is up to the judge to determine how much compensation you or your family may receive. There is no limit to the amount of compensation, and punitive damages may also be available if willful gross negligence is found to be the cause of an injury or death.
Legal Guidance When Pursuing a Jones Act Claim
Contact a maritime personal injury attorney from The Young Firm and be sure to check out our free publications: Employee’s Guide to Maritime Injury Law and 6 Secrets Your Company May Not Tell You When You Get Injured Offshore. We can help you pursue death benefits under the Jones Act if you lost a loved one because of employer negligence. Contact us today at 866-701-8647.
