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Basics of Jones Act Law and Longshore Act in Regards to Your Claim (Part B)

The second thing you need to know about filing a claim under Jones law is that your employer can argue that you contributed to your accident and injuries. The phrase for this is "comparative fault" and it can affect the damages for which you may be eligible. If you are accused of contributing to your injuries, you should discuss this with a Jones Act attorney in Louisiana.

A Close Look at Comparative Fault

An injury attorney that serves Lafayette, Louisiana and other parts of the country has seen many Jones law cases where the employer will vigorously argue that the injured worker is partially at fault. If the employer is successful, the worker's damages will most likely be reduced.

For example, if your employer's attorneys can prove that you were 50% responsible for your accident, then your damages will be reduced by 50%. Therefore, if you were eligible to receive $10,000 in damages, it would be reduced to $5.000. If you were filing a legitimate claim under the Longshore Act, compensation would be provided despite whom was at fault.

Since the comparative fault rule can be beneficial to your employer, you should expect to be blamed for your injuries. You should also have an injury attorney near Lafayette, Louisiana working to preserve your legal rights.

How a Jones Act Attorney in Louisiana Can Help

When you hire an attorney with maritime experience, you can have a legal advocate who can explain many factors pertinent to your case, such as:

  • whether you are a seaman and qualify to file a claim under the Jones Act or whether you are a worker whose claim is best suited for the Longshore Act;
  • whether it can proven that your company was negligent; and
  • whether you should bear any blame.

Once negligence can be nailed down, the next steps will entail negotiating a fair settlement or preparing to take your case to court so you can obtain deserving compensation.

Contact a Jones Act Attorney in Louisiana

The Jones Act law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. A Jones Act 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. 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 toll-free at 866-938-6113.




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