Jones Act Attorneys in Houma

Understanding Your Rights Under the Jones Act

The Jones Act provides powerful protections for injured maritime workers. If your injury was caused by any kind of negligence, you have the right to file a lawsuit for damages far beyond what maintenance and cure provide.

If you qualify under the Jones Act, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Additionally, if a loved one died as a result of an employer’s negligence, the Jones Act allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim.

What Counts as Negligence Under the Jones Act?

The Jones Act has a broad definition of negligence, meaning that even small acts of carelessness or unsafe decisions can make an employer liable. 

Some examples include:

• Failing to maintain safe working conditions aboard the vessel
• Inadequate training or supervision of crew members
• Unsafe procedures for lifting, handling, or operating machinery
• Insufficient safety equipment or failure to enforce safety rules
• Fatigue caused by excessive working hours
• Allowing unseaworthy conditions to exist on the vessel

Even if you think your employer’s role in your accident was minor, you may still have a valid Jones Act claim. The law only requires that you prove your employer’s negligence played some part, no matter how small, in causing your injury.

The Difference Between Jones Act & General Maritime Law

It’s easy to get confused between the Jones Act and other maritime laws, like general maritime law or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), but there are several major differences. 

Here are the key distinctions:

• The Jones Act applies to seamen, those who work aboard vessels in navigation. It allows them to file a lawsuit for negligence.
• General maritime law applies to injuries caused by an unseaworthy vessel and guarantees basic benefits known as maintenance and cure.
• The LHWCA covers dockworkers, harbor workers, and others who work near the water but not aboard a vessel.

An experienced maritime attorney can help determine which law applies to your situation and ensure you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.

Proving a Jones Act Claim

To successfully recover compensation under the Jones Act, you must prove that your employer or another crew member was negligent and that this negligence contributed to your injury. 

This can involve gathering evidence such as:

• Safety records and maintenance logs
• Crew member statements and witness testimony
• Photos and documentation from the vessel
• Medical records and expert reports
• Company safety manuals and training materials

Because vessels often move between ports—and evidence can quickly disappear—it’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Our Houma Jones Act Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You

At Waitz & Downer, we’ve spent decades fighting for offshore and maritime workers across South Louisiana. Our attorneys know the Jones Act inside and out, and we understand the unique challenges of pursuing a maritime injury claim.

When you hire us, we can:

• Investigate every aspect of your accident and gather crucial evidence
• Determine whether the Jones Act, general maritime law, or other federal statutes apply
• Work with maritime safety experts and medical professionals to prove your case
• Handle all communication with your employer and their insurers
• Take your case to court if necessary to secure full compensation

We treat every case like it matters—because it does. Your health, your career, and your family’s future depend on the outcome. Since 1971, our firm has built a legacy of service, compassion, and results for the people of South Louisiana. Together, our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience.