If you are working and suffered harm aboard a vessel, a barge, tanker ship, tugboat or other seafaring vessel, then you may be able to recover compensation under the Jones Act. This federal maritime law gives you the rights to:
file a maritime lawsuit against an employer or negligent third party;
file a seaworthiness claim if improper maintenance or an incompetent crew caused an injury;
seek compensation for maintenance and cure;
obtain medical care for your injuries.
This is not an exhaustive list of maritime rights under the Jones Act. The Jones Act covers maritime workers who suffer harm due to the negligence of an employer while aboard vessels operating in rivers, lakes, bayous, and other waterways. In some cases, the injury may not even occur on the water.
However, there are certain situations the Jones Act does not cover.