Under the Jones Act you are entitled to collect any damages which are directly related to your accident. Typically these damages will include pain and suffering, medical expenses and loss of wages and fringe benefits.
The damages allowed for pain and suffering depend greatly upon the nature of your injury. You will be allowed to collect damages for both past as well as future pain and suffering if you prove these damages at trial. In regard to past pain and suffering damages, your testimony as well as the testimony of your treating doctors will be very important. We also routinely call as witnesses an injured employee's spouse or friends to testify as to how the injury has affected the employee's life. In regard to future pain and suffering damages, it is often best to rely upon your treating physicians who can testify as to whether or not your condition will improve or worsen in the future. Judges and juries are allowed to estimate the amount and type of pain and suffering that you will most likely experience in the future, and under the Jones Act they are allowed to award money damages for this suffering even though it has not occurred.
You are also entitled to recover for past and future loss of wages and fringe benefits which are directly related to your injury. Our office routinely works with experienced economists who will calculate the exact value of your past and future loss of wages and fringe benefits. In almost all cases, an expert economist is required to predict future loss of wages. Most courts will not allow an employee to collect loss of future wages and future fringe benefits unless an expert economist has made these calculations for the jury.
Calculating your loss of past and future wages depends greatly upon the amount of money that you were earning at the time of your injury. However, the Jones Act does allow you to be awarded money based upon promotions and raises in pay which, in all likelihood, you would have received had you kept working. This can be very important for long-term employees who have proven a history of receiving pay raises over their years of employment. Our office is very careful to calculate future wages assuming that certain employees may have received pay raises in the future. This can make the difference between collecting the amount to which you are truly entitled rather than simply the amount which appears on your current paycheck.
One of the great benefits of working offshore or on a vessel is the significant fringe benefits that many maritime employees receive. When you have suffered an injury and you are no longer able to work performing heavy manual labor, most often you will no longer receive these fringe benefits. Fringe benefits typically include meals being provided to the employee while working, retirement benefits, health insurance and disability insurance. Our office will obtain all of your pay records including the value of your fringe benefits and use this information to calculate the true value of your past and future economic losses, including loss of fringe benefits. Sometimes your loss of fringe benefits can amount to almost as much as your loss of actual wages.
Description: To find a good lawyer, consider referrals from friends or even other lawyers. You might even find a Louisiana maritime attorney through reputable directories.
Description: Employers cannot delay or deny maintenances and cure benefits for an injured maritime worker. If this is the case, talk to a Louisiana attorney for Jones Act cases.
Description: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a working relationship between the Coast Guard and OSHA. Both enforce maritime safety regulations.
Description: Jones Act coverage provides benefits for injured maritime workers, while workers’ comp covers many other workers on land. Learn the differences between the programs.
Description: A Jones Act claim has important elements that must be included. For a better understanding of what you need, contact a maritime attorney in Louisiana.
Description: Injured seamen are protected from being unlawfully terminated by their employers. Contact a maritime attorney in New Orleans to further discuss your employment rights.
Description: If you are injured at sea, you may be able to claim loss of enjoyment of life under the Jones Act. See a New Orleans maritime attorney for details and for help filing a claim.
Description: Need a New Orleans maritime lawyer for your offshore injury case? Contact the Louisiana Jones Act lawyers at The Young Firm today to learn more.
Description: If you were injured at sea near New Orleans, Louisiana, the Jones Act provides options. An attorney can talk to you about how pain may impact a claim.
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Description: There are different causes of a slip and fall maritime accident. Compensation for your injuries may be available through a maritime accident claim.
Description: Your Jones Act attorney will provide you with your claim, but you should never give your employer a recorded statement. It could do more harm than good.
Description: There are common injuries that can occur from a slip and fall accident in costal waters. Compensation may be available through a maritime accident claim.
Description: There are 4 reasons you should file an accident report if you’re hurt offshore, and a Jones Act attorney can help you with your report and Jones Act issues.
Description: To learn who’s covered in a Jones Act claim, you may need legal counsel. A Jones Act lawyer based in New Orleans may also determine damages you’re entitled to.
Description: A $15 million fine against Escopeta Oil was upheld by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. A Jones Act attorney can help if you've been injured.
Description: Damages available under the Jones Act include lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and vocational rehabilitation training.
Description: There are 3 steps to filing a Jones Act claim. In many cases you would benefit in securing help from an experienced Jones Act lawyer based in New Orleans, LA.
Description: Cruise ship employees qualify as seamen under the federal Jones Act, making them eligible for maintenance and cure benefits.
Description: Boating can be a fun recreational activity, but also dangerous. Protect yourself this summer by following these boating safety tips. Injured? Seek an attorney.