Your Offshore Knee Injury May Be Covered Under the Jones Act
Pulling and lifting heavy loads, slipping on a wet deck, falling from a ladder, getting tangled in nets or ropes, working with heavy equipment, bumping into an object... these maritime accidents can lead to painful knee injuries. Knee injuries refer to any injury to the ligaments, tendons and bones that make up the knee joint, including tears, inflammation, contusions, dislocations, fractures and ruptures.
Symptoms of knee injuries include:
Popping or crackling sounds
Pain
Stiffness
Redness
Swelling
Inflammation
Inability to bear weight on the injured knee
Visible deformity
After any knee injury, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Untreated knee injuries rarely heal themselves, and the pain of n untreated knee injury can last for years - even a lifetime. Minor knee injuries can be treated with medication, rest and ice treatments. Severe knee injuries may require surgery and extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation.
An injury to a seaman's knee is serious. Even a minor knee injury can take several weeks or even months to heal. A seaman's job involves moving, lifting, and climbing. Knee injuries are extremely painful and may impair the ability to walk. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for an injured seaman to continue doing his job.
Seamen who have sustained a knee injury while working offshore may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act. The Jones Act provides payment for injuries that are caused by negligence, unseaworthiness, lack of training or unsafe conditions aboard a vessel. Jones Act damages include payment for medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earning capacity, loss of benefits and more.
