The Jones Act, enacted nearly a century ago, allows offshore workers to seek compensation from negligent parties responsible for serious or fatal accidents. Prior to this, workers could only claim for immediate living and medical expenses. Under maritime law, dredgers qualify as Jones Act vessels. Therefore, injured dredge workers can claim compensation reflecting the extent of their injuries rather than just immediate financial fallout. This includes lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral costs, and loss of consortium.