Jones Act
The Jones Act (also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, 46 U.S.C. § 30104) is the basic federal maritime law that defines the rights of a seaman, allowing injured sailors to sue their employers or others for damages due to injury received while at sea. A “Jones Act seaman,” as defined in 1995 by the United States Supreme Court (Chandris, Inc., v. Latsis, 515 U.S. 347, 115 S.Ct. 2172), is any worker who spends 30 percent or more of his time in the service of a vessel on navigable waters. The Jones Act (also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, 46 U.S.C. § 30104) is the basic federal maritime law that defines the rights of a seaman, allowing injured sailors to sue their employers or others for damages due to injury received while at sea.
A “Jones Act seaman,” as defined in 1995 by the United States Supreme Court (Chandris, Inc., v. Latsis, 515 U.S. 347, 115 S.Ct. 2172), is any worker who spends 30 percent or more of his time in the service of a vessel on navigable waters.
The Jones Act covers those injured while at sea in interstate and international commerce pathways, those injured while working upon the structure or equipment of a maritime vessel, and those injured while otherwise working aboard a vessel. In general, these categories include:
- Cruise ship workers
- Construction workers
- Riverboat and tugboat workers
- Fishermen and fish processors
- Commercial drivers
- Oil platform workers
- Transportation workers
If negligence is behind your maritime injury
case, a Jones Act attorney from the Johnson Law Group can help you obtain compensation.
To speak with one of our expert maritime injury attorneys, call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522, or contact us by email to schedule a consultation at no cost to you.
