Houston Maritime / Offshore Accident Injury Lawyer

Maritime workers are not entitled to regular workers’ compensation benefits when they are injured on the job. Instead, they can benefit from the Jones Act, a federal law that gives them the right to sue their employer for their personal injury. The Jones Act is a very employee-friendly law, but many seamen still end up receiving much less compensation than they deserve or they get denied altogether.

If you’re an offshore oil rig worker, a maritime worker, or both, who injured on the job—or had an injury or illness that manifested itself while you were on the job, make sure the Jones Act works for you by calling on the Cook Injury Firm. Attorney Andrew Cook is knowledgeable in Texas maritime law and aggressive in facing companies to fight for individuals like you. Consult with our Houston maritime attorney today for a free case evaluation.

Am I Eligible to Claim Under the Jones Act?

To successfully claim from your employer under the Jones Act, you must be a seaman who was injured due to the employer’s negligence. There are three important elements here:

You may file your Jones Act lawsuit in state or federal court. But it’s important to remember there is a statute of limitations – a deadline within which you may sue. You have only three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.

What Am I Entitled To Under The Jones Act?

Just like in a regular injury case, you may be compensated for economic and non-economic damages stemming from your maritime injury, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Lost earnings
• Lost earning capacity
• Vocational retraining costs
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering.

In addition, maritime law may entitle you to other benefits as an injured seaman. These benefits are:

• Your employer may be required to pay you a daily allowance equal to the cost of feeding and sheltering you on-board the vessel, until you have fully recovered.
• This refers to your medical costs which your employer has to pay until you have recovered to maximum health. Maintenance and cure typically go hand-in-hand in a maritime claim.

Why Should I Hire a Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer?

A Jones Act claim typically involves negotiations with the employer and its insurer, and there are plenty of ways for your claim to be undermined or denied in the process. For instance, the insurance company might convince you to settle before you know the true cost of your injury. Your employer may also be able to deny negligence altogether.

Further, you may feel reluctant about pursuing your claim or are intimidated by the possibility of not getting rehired by your employer.

An experienced offshore injury attorney can protect you from all these. These cases can be difficult, but with a lawyer on your side, you can ensure that your rights are upheld, that no one is taking advantage of your situation, and that you have a solid claim for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Cook Law Firm Today

Maritime injury attorney Andrew Cook can help you build a Jones Act case.

Talk to us about your maritime injury. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.