Employers of seamen are required to provide their workers a reasonably safe place to work and use ordinary care to ensure the vessel is maintained so that workers aren’t injured. The Jones Act is very favorable to seamen as the burden to maintain a safe working environment is wholly on the shoulders of the employer. An employer can be held liable for injuries caused by:
Improperly maintained equipment
Improper training of other seamen and crew
Grease or oil on the deck
Unsafe work routines
Failing to provide crew members with the adequate equipment to do their work assignments
Equipment failure
Assault by crew members
Negligence of other crew members
It’s important to note that the burden of proof under the Jones Act is far more lenient than a typical personal injury case which requires the plaintiff to prove the defendant was substantially at fault for the accident. The Jones Act only requires a plaintiff to prove an employer was just slightly responsible.