How To Sue For Maritime Injury In Seattle | Common Maritime Injuries and Claims | Why do People Sue
Key Takeaways: Almost 2,700 maritime casualties happened in 2023 alone. 743 of these casualties were serious. And 45 were very serious. 75 investigations were launched. Workers injured at sea can claim compensation, but not under regular liability laws. Maritime law governs injuries that happen at sea. Working at sea is dangerous. Even if you’re not in an active war zone. Or the middle of a storm. Common dangers include: Drowning/almost drowning. Broken bones. Burns. Exposure to hazardous materials. Injuries from repetitive strain. An Overview On Maritime Law: Maritime laws are laws governing what happens on the open sea. It also governs what happens if a maritime worker has an accident at sea and one or more parties are to blame. The Jones Act: The Jones Act allows those working at sea to sue employers and/or other responsible parties in the event of a mishap. However, this law only applies if: The accident occurred while the boat was sailing. The person has a substantial, long-term connection to the vessel. The accident happened on an oil rig in the ocean. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act: Have you been hurt while working: On navigable waters in the United States? On a pier? At a dock, terminal, or wharf? Outlines the rights of people traveling on covered waterways. If so, the LHWCA applies to you. Like the Jones Act, it allows you to sue for mishaps that occur while working close to a vessel. If the injury happened when working on or close to a ship, or doing work related to a ship. A secretary who works at an office near the shore and has a slip-and-fall accident is covered by workers compensation insurance. General Maritime Law: General maritime law defines where to sue if you’re hurt at sea. It says that: International waters? That depends on your ship’s flag. But U.S. citizens with foreign employers might still be able to file a case under the Jones Act. Not a U.S. citizen? You can sue under the Jones Act if you’re working on a ship owned by a U.S. company or flying a U.S. flag. What Are The Common Maritime Accidents & Injuries in Seattle? The shipping industry isn’t a safe one. Accidents happen. A lot. Slips, Trips, and Falls: Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere. But working on wet surfaces makes them even more likely. Machinery & Equipment Accidents: Operator mistakes are common. The operator could be untrained, make a mistake, or show up to work plastered. Machinery can malfunction. Especially if it hasn’t been properly maintained Lifting equipment (such as cranes) can accidently snag the wrong thing (or person). Overboard & Drowning Incidents: If you fall overboard while working on a boat? It might go unnoticed. But even if someone saw and came to help, you could still almost drown. Especially in stormy weather. Or if you’re not a good swimmer. Chemical & Burn Injuries: Chemical and burn injuries are common among maritime workers: You could get burned handling hot equipment or touching hot surfaces. If you’re on a ship built before 1980, the odds are it was made with asbestos. And you’ll probably breathe plenty of it in your cramped quarters. If you work on an oil rig or tanker, there is a high risk of breathing in benzene. It’s a chemical used for maintenance and tank cleaning. You could get a “cold burn” working in refrigerated areas or if refrigerated gasses get loose. Repetitive Strain & Musculoskeletal Injuries: Ship work is repetitive. Lift. Carry. Move. Repeat. It’s easy to suffer repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal injuries. Especially if your employer isn’t giving you the right machinery and equipment for doing your job. What to Do Immediately After a Maritime Injury in Seattle? Get to safety. Your life is always the #1 priority. Document what happened if you can. Do you have a phone on you? Film the surroundings. Does someone else nearby have a phone? Ask them to do it too. See who witnessed the accident. You’ll want to ask for their statements later. See the ship’s doctor as soon as you can. See a doctor on land as soon as you can. Get a thorough exam even if you feel fine. Some injuries are asymptomatic for weeks or even months. Talk to your supervisor about what happened and why. If you’re at sea for a long time, keep a diary. It’s evidence. And it can even jog your memory if you forget important details. The Process – How to Sue for Maritime Injury in Seattle: In a liability lawsuit, you have to show that most of the evidence is in your favor. But seamen who file a case under the Jones Act just have to show that the other party was at least partly responsible. Even so, suing for a maritime injury isn’t a walk in the park. You have to do things right or your case will tank. Report Your Accident to a Supervisor: Report the accident to your supervisor right away. This establishes, for the record, that something happened to you. Gather Evidence to Establish Fault: You need evidence to show who’s at fault. This can include: Photos. Videos. Maintenance records. Witness testimony. Medical records. Expert witness testimony for complicated cases. File Your Accident Report Promptly: File your report right away. There is a time limit and filing too late will cost you compensation even if you have strong evidence. Determine Liability After a Boating Accident in Seattle: Find out who’s at fault. It could be: Another maritime worker. Your supervisor. The company that made the machinery on your boat. The company that loaded or packed the cargo on your ship. The mechanic who’s supposed to maintain the machinery on your ship. Your ship’s captain. There’s often more than one party at fault. Make sure you list them all. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: See a doctor. Immediately. Even if it’s just the ship doctor. Make sure the doctor lists all injuries and gives a
What Are Maritime Salvage Rights | Common Injuries | Marine Salvage Law
Key Takeaways: Applies to Everything on the Water: International cargo routes, injury claims, pollution cleanup, and more. Maritime law touches every vessel and everybody on navigable waters. Built-In Protections for Workers: The Jones Act and LHWCA give injured maritime workers legal and financial safeguards. Keeps Global Trade Moving: International shipping runs on time thanks to the legal framework. Saves lives: Navigation rules, vessel inspections, safety requirements. All exist to stop collisions and onboard accidents from happening. National Defense: Keep the U.S. domestic fleet strong, gives federal agencies the legal teeth to patrol and secure American waters. If you voluntarily rescue a ship, cargo, or other items that are in danger at sea, you may be entitled to compensation. In short, if a vessel is sinking and you bring it to safety, or recover cargo someone has lost, the law says you have a right to payment. This is called a salvage award. The maritime law of salvage is in place because rescuing stuff at sea is risky and expensive. This legal entitlement encourages salvaging. In other words, it helps valuable property not be lost. The team at JonesAct.Info can help you file a claim and figure out what you’re owed. What Is Salvage in Maritime Law and Maritime Salvage Rights? Maritime salvage reward is the compensation you’re allowed to get for rescuing property that’s at risk. Specifically, if you’re a person who’s not legally obligated to put yourself at risk or expensive to do so. In Fine v. Rockwood, 895 F. Supp. 306 (S.D. Fl. 1995), the courts aid it’s a bounty granted under public policy that encourages rescue at sea. Salvage bounties date back for centuries, to the edicts of Rhodes and the Roman Digest of Justinian. But in our century, maritime laws set in place by the Salvage Convention of 1989 govern salvaging. This convention replaced the Brussels Convention on Assistance and Salvage at Sea. Real-World Scenarios of Maritime Salvage: Here’s one example. Say a commercial fishing boat loses engine power when they’re in the middle of a mega-storm. Another boat nearby sees the struggle and hooks a towline to it. Then tows it to port. The crew on the rescuing boat has a valid salvage claim. Or for example, a cargo ship runs aground in a shipping channel, and there’s tons of valuable merchandise on board. A tugboat can deploy equipment that can refloat that boat that’s in trouble so it doesn’t break apart. The tug company can get compensation. Salvage Agreements Role: There are professional salvage operations that run on contracts. Formal agreements that spell out exactly who does what and who gets paid, along with what happens if something ends up going sideways. These two most common ones: Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF): The standard international salvage contract, operates on a “no cure, no pay” basis. Meaning the person or company salvaging only collects if the operation actually saves the property. Disputes are sent to arbitration. SCOPIC (Special Compensation P&I Club Clause): Supplemental clause added to the LOF. It guarantees you’ll get compensated even if the operation fails. Example of this: trying to prevent environmental damage from an oil spill. The “no cure, no pay” principle is from the 1910 Brussels Convention. It worked for decades, but had a major issue. If a salvor actually prevents something like a huge oil spill by towing away a tanker that’s been damaged, but failed to save the actual ship, they got nothing. So they brought in the 1989 Salvage Convention. It created “enhanced salvage awards” and “special compensation” for salvagers who were making honest efforts to try to save the environment. These these agreements do: “No Cure, No Pay”: Performance-based system. You only collect when you successfully save a vessel or cargo. Rapid Response with no Red Tape: The LOF is standardized. This means salvors can get to work immediately during life-threatening emergencies. No wasting time negotiating complicated terms. Guaranteed Lien on Saved Property: You hold a maritime lien. A legal claim to the rescued property, stays in place until the saved party pays. Environmental Incentives: More modern agreements reward salvors who prevent pollution. Even when they can’t save the ship. This was a direct response to more oil spills from tankers becoming damaged. Structured Compensation Process: Arbitration determines the award amount. They look at things like the difficulty of the operation or the value of what they saved. Also, environmental factors. How Maritime Law Calculates Salvage Awards? There’s not a fixed formula. Usually, maritime salvage awards range anywhere between 10 to 25 percent of the total value of the property the salvagers save. Extreme cases sometimes go higher. Here’s what comes into play: Labor and time the rescue cost. How much skill and expertise was needed. Recovered property value. How dangerous the salvage mission was. How close it came to total loss. The steps needed to prevent damage to the environment. Common Injuries of Maritime Salvage: In salvage work, people are often in confined spaces and exposed to toxic fumes. Plus they’re on unstable structures. And often, lethal weather. Lots of things can go south quickly. Machinery failure, fires, explosions, falls and injuries. And all this happens in long hours of intense physical work. Which means exhaustion and loss of focus. Some of the injuries we see most often: Slips, trips, falls: It can be a broken limb, or something like a spinal injury or traumatic brain injuries. Crush injuries and amputations: Things can crash into workers. Winches, chains, crane loads, shifting wreckage. All these can trap or even sever arms and legs. Burns and chemical exposure: Fires, explosions, chemical leaks from damaged vessels cause thermal burns and damage to the throat and lungs. Drowning and hypothermia: Drowning, plus cold-water shock. Repetitive strain: Prolonged intense labor breaks down the body. Back, neck, legs, arms, shoulders, etc… Jonesact.info Marine Salvage Attorneys: Our attorneys are recognized leaders in admiralty and maritime injury laws. It’s not something we do on the side. It’s ALL we do. And there’s our
Ammonia Leak On A Boat | Ammonia Leak Injuries | Damages, Laws And Statutes
Key Takeaways Maritime law governs all activities taking place on the water, e.g., injured crew members, global trade and environmental effects. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) offers no-fault coverage for harbor workers and longshoremen injured while working in maritime industries, while the Jones Act covers injured workers due to negligence at sea. Both are essential for our global shipping industry and create safe and stable legal pathways to justice. They prioritize worker safety with navigation and safety rules that also protect passengers and vessels from harm at sea. These sets of laws also enhance national security by maintaining a strong defensive fleet while authorizing federal agencies to enforce their laws. Ammonia is a toxic substance used in refrigeration systems on fishing vessels and cargo ships. Ammonia leak on a boat is one of the most serious incidents in the maritime environment. It often leads to severe injuries and complex legal challenges. It can create respiratory damage, chemical burns, and long-term health complications too. So, it needs immediate response and proper safety measures. Here, in the writing, we will discuss ammonia, injuries, damages, laws and status related to its leaks and so on. What is Ammonia and Ammonia Leak On A Boat? Ammonia is a volatile inorganic compound that is frequently used in the refrigeration systems on commercial fishing vessels. This toxic gas is both effective and inexpensive. Problems occur if a leak occurs in the refrigeration system due to improper maintenance, accidents and equipment failures. Leaks expose crews to serious health risks, and consequences of an ammonia release on a ship can also include damaging environmental hazards. 10 Types Of Ammonia Leak Injuries on Ships and Fishing Boats: While most people understand that ammonia exposures can be deadly, they may not realize the myriad ways that ammonia can adversely affect those exposed to it. Below are some of the health risks of ammonia leaks aboard sea-faring vessels. Respiratory irritation: Burning throats, coughing, respiratory distress and permanent lung damage can arise from an ammonia leak exposure. The longer the exposure, the worse the symptoms. Skin chemical burns: Highly corrosive liquid ammonia causes permanent damage to the skin. Immediate damage includes: Redness. Itching. Blisters. Victims may also suffer from scarring, tissue death and chronic skin conditions. Eye burns: Ammonia exposure is an ophthalmic emergency, especially in a remote location at sea. Failure to promptly flush and treat the eyes can cause permanent damage, including loss of sight. Vision damage: Permanent damage to the cornea and other eye structures from an ammonia leak is possible. Fast treatment can mitigate the damage caused by exposure to the toxic chemical. Chemical pneumonitis: Chemical pneumonitis is an acute condition characterized by lung inflammation and other breathing difficulties from inhaling chemical fumes after a toxic leak or release. Throat burns: The irritating properties of ammonia often cause throat burns. Symptoms can manifest in the throat, causing tissue to swell and narrow. Swift treatment can save injured crew members’ lives. Frostbite injuries: As ammonia is a corrosive alkaline gas stored at -28º Fahrenheit, even brief exposures from a leak at sea can lead to liquefaction necrosis of the skin and underlying tissue and other frostbite injuries. Loss of consciousness: Ammonia is toxic to the delicate brain tissue and can cause unconsciousness and other neurological damage, seizures and even death. Someone exposed to toxic levels of ammonia can even appear to have dementia. Asphyxiation: As a corrosive gas in poorly ventilated areas or enclosed spaces, ammonia can asphyxiate its victims. Asphyxia causes hypoxia, a frequently lethal condition. Chronic lung damage: Pulmonary edema, i.e., fluid accumulation in the lungs, is a potentially fatal condition stemming from ammonia leaks on fishing boats. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from chemical burns may return as chronic bronchitis. Damages for Ammonia Leak Injuries: Fishing boat crew injuries from accidental ammonia exposures deserve compensation. Depending on the circumstances of their injuries, exposed crew members may be able to seek damages from the persons or entities deemed liable for the exposure. Loss Of Earnings: One type of economic damage is the lost wages from injured workers being unable to work after an on-the-job accident. This type of damage is easily quantifiable when negotiating for a settlement. Medical Expenses: The other type of economic damage plaintiffs seek to recover is their medical expenses, both past and future. This can be important if the injured party used their private health insurance policy during treatment. Insurers may also file their own claims of subrogation to the defendant(s) for reimbursement. Pain And Suffering: These claims are less quantifiable but frequently enhance settlements. Non-economic damages are calculated using formulas that consider the extent of the damage, its duration and the changed lifestyle of the injured plaintiff, along with other pertinent factors. In some cases, spouses of injured fishermen may even be able to file their own claims for damage. Laws And Statutes Of Ammonia Leak: Those suffering from on-the-job ammonia exposures may wonder what the law says about filing claims for damages. It’s important to understand that these claims are filed under maritime law regulations, which are different from damage claims filed on land. The Jones Act Impact On Ammonia Leak: The Jones Act offers protection and a path to justice for injured maritime workers. Ammonia leak on fishing boat due to an employer’s negligence may qualify injured seamen to pursue additional damages under the Jones Act. The Seaman Manslaughter Statute: The Seaman’s Manslaughter Statute (18 U.S.C. § 1115) holds corporate executives and holding officers criminally responsible for deaths aboard vessels that are linked to misconduct and//or neglect. Those convicted face fines and up to 10 years in prison. OSHA and EPA Guidelines: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the storage and handling of ammonia. It dictates the design, location, construction, installation, maintenance and operation of ammonia coolant systems. The Environmental Agency (EPA) monitors operators for compliance with environmental laws put in place to protect fishermen at sea from death or debilitation caused by ammonia
How To Choose Maritime Injury Attorney In Seattle | Do I Need It | Why Choose Our Maritime Lawyers
Key Takeaways: Maritime law covers Every Activity on the Water: International trade, personal injury claims, environmental safeguards. Worker Safety Prioritization: Legal rights and financial recovery for maritime workers who are injured. Global Commerce: Provides the consistent legal framework that keeps supply chains moving across oceans. Disaster Prevention: Navigation standards, vessel safety requirements, crew training mandates exist to reduce accidents and keep everyone on board protected. National Security: Enforces security, customs, and immigration laws across U.S. waters and international waterways. If you work on the water in Seattle and get hurt on the job, you’ll need a lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of maritime law. This isn’t the same as a general personal injury attorney. Maritime injury lawyers live and breathe every aspect of federal admiralty law. Including the Jones Act and protections for maritime workers who get injured. Let’s learn more about how to choose a maritime injury attorney in Washington. What Is Maritime Law and a Maritime Injury Attorney? Maritime law governs injuries, disputes, and commerce on water that can be navigated. It’s completely separate from state personal injury laws. Maritime injury attorneys work on injury claims covered under maritime laws like the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Do I Need a Maritime Lawyer? If your injury happened when you were working on or near navigable water, your case will usually be under federal maritime law. Here are some examples of times when you may need a maritime injury attorney: Injuries on any of these: vessel, tugboat, barge, cargo ship. Slipping or falling when working at the Port of Seattle. Equipment struck you while you were working on or near navigable water. The vessel your employer provided wasn’t seaworthy and that caused your injury. Longshoremen or dock workers injured during cargo operations. Toxic chemical exposure. Death of a family member that falls under maritime law. Your employer pressures you to accept a quick settlement, or denies maintenance and cure benefits. How To Choose Maritime Injury Attorney In Seattle: Working with the right maritime injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after you’re injured. Maritime Law Expertise: Keep in mind that maritime law is completely separate from personal injury law. You need an attorney with specific expertise in the Jones Act and the Longshore Act. Also, maintenance and cure claims. The fact is that a general practice lawyer who just sometimes takes on some maritime cases will almost always miss something a specialist will catch on day one. Ask attorneys specifically what percentage of their caseload is in maritime cases. Experience and Track Record: The types of cases a maritime injury attorney has handled matters more than how long they’ve been practicing law. Ask them specifically how many maritime injury cases they’ve taken to verdict. And what the settlements looked like. A lawyer with 10 years experience in working Jones Act claims is going to serve you better than one who’s been handling auto accident injuries for 25 years. Lawyer Credentials and Professional Qualifications: The lawyer handling your case should be a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States.Other good signs that you’ve got someone who knows what they’re doing: Board certifications in admiralty law Published articles High-profile speaking engagements at maritime law conferences Knowledge and Industry Insight: To practice maritime law, an excellent maritime injury attorney needs to have a solid understanding of the industry. Not just the law. They’ll know all about working conditions on a fishing trawler, and how they’re different from a container ship. They have expert knowledge of OSHA Maritime Standards. Just a couple of examples. Location and Local Knowledge of Seattle Maritime Laws: The Port of Seattle Economic Impact report says commercial fishing operations at the Port account for more than 8,800 jobs. The attorney you choose should know how local federal courts work. Significant Office Resources (A Strong Legal Team): It’s expensive to litigate maritime injury cases. Your employer is likely going to hire a large firm for their defense. So you need to have similar resources. This means: Investigators Maritime safety experts Medical consultants Financial backing to take a case to trial if needed Accessibility and Communication: After a serious injury, you’re going to want to make sure people are returning your calls. Make sure you know who your point of contact is, and if you’ll be able to speak directly to your attorney. Initial Consultations and Case Evaluation: Most reputable maritime injury attorneys will offer a free initial consultation. This is your chance to get a good idea of their knowledge. And ask tough questions. Transparent Fee Structure: Most of the time, maritime injury attorneys work on contingency. This means you don’t have to pay anything upfront. But be sure to ask what their percentage is. It can vary from one attorney to the next. Also ask what costs they’ll deduct before and/or after their fee is calculated. The standard is zero ambiguity. Client Reviews, Testimonials, and Referrals: Read online reviews. But also, ask the attorney if they’ll give you referrals to past clients who will give them a recommendation. Personalized Attention to Your Case: What you don’t want to do is become just another case number for your attorney. Every maritime accident or injury is different. You need individual attention. Why Choose JonesAct.info? This maritime law firm was built specifically to fight for maritime workers who get injured. Here’s what makes us different. World’s Best Admiralty Lawyers The attorneys at our firm are recognized leaders in admiralty and maritime injury law. We don’t dabble in maritime law. It’s all we do. 30+ Years of Maritime Injury Case Experience For more than three decades, we’ve been representing injured: Seamen Longshoremen Offshore workers This means we’ve seen just about every single tactic maritime employers or insurance companies can throw at us. And we can handle it. Proven Courtroom and Trial Success A lot of firms settle any chance they get because they’re
4 Different Maritime Injury Claims Types | Common Maritime Injuries | Role Of A Maritime Lawyer
Key Takeaways: Maritime accidents happen for many reasons. Most are preventable. Slips and falls are some of the most common. Victims with injuries can seek financial compensation for those losses. It will be up to the victim to prove who is at fault. Working with a maritime injury attorney can help you recover damages owed to you. Maritime injuries are those that happen on navigable waters. Rented boats and the use of another person’s assets could mean you can file a claim if hurt. Understanding maritime injury claim types is a big part of that process. Your attorney can help you navigate the entire process. What Is a Maritime Injury? A maritime injury is any type of accident or illness that happens on navigable waters. This includes on rented or leased boats. It can happen on commercial boats or ships. It often applies to injuries incurred by customers or visitors. What Are the Most Common Maritime Injuries? There are dozens of ways you can suffer an injury on a boat. The following are some of the most common maritime injuries. Note that these are just some examples. You should get care for any type of injury you have. Document the injuries, where they occurred, and when they happened. These are some initial risks. Loss of limbs or amputated fingers: Maritime equipment often has serious areas of risk for pinching. Getting caught between or caught in equipment can lead to amputations. Arm, hand, and shoulder injuries: Soft tissue injuries to the arms, hands, or shoulders are also common. This can happen from overreaching or extension. Leg, knee, and foot injuries: Falls are a common reason for leg, knee, and foot injuries. Getting caught in equipment can also be a cause for serious injury. Head injuries: Any strike to the head can lead to injuries. This includes conclusions from rapid back-and-forth movement. It may include fractures of the skull. Serious injuries can involve traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Traumatic brain injuries are internal damage to the brain structure. This happens when force to the head causes damage to the soft tissues in the brain. Falls are a common cause. Neck and back injuries: Many people face serious injuries to their neck or back from straining. Picking up something too heavy is probably the most common cause. Twists and turns with too much pressure can also be a factor. Spinal cord injuries (SCI) Some falls can lead to damage to the spinal cord. This often causes nerve damage and results in partial or full paralysis. Some suffer from chronic pain. Broken bones and fractures Broken bones often occur in maritime accidents due to falls. Being crushed in equipment can also be a concern. Crush injuries Crushing injuries happen when heavy equipment falls on a person. It can also happen if a person is pinned behind equipment. Burns from fire, explosions, or extreme heat Fires can break out on many of the surfaces of boats. Explosions also cause devastating injuries. Extreme heat from equipment can also cause serious injury. Chemical burns Numerous chemicals are on board most boats. Exposure can lead to illness development, including cancer. Other times, chemical burns can cause from chemicals coming in contact with your skin. Electrical shock injuries Unsafe conditions around a boat can lead to an electrical shock. These can be devastating in some situations. Drowning and near-drowning injuries Falling overboard is just one cause of drowning or near-drowning accidents. Pools and spas onboard larger boats can also cause serious risks. Hypothermia and frostbite Being in the water or cold for too long can cause serious risk to the skin and tissue. Hypothermia and frostbite can be devastating conditions. Hearing loss Very loud sounds can cause significant injury to hearing. The loss of hearing can be a catastrophic injury that impacts every facet of your life. Blindness or vision loss Toxic exposure, electrical shock, and numerous other instances can cause loss of vision. This is another catastrophic injury. Lung diseases, including mesothelioma Exposure to chemicals can lead to lung damage. Mesothelioma is specifically a risk in older equipment that involves the use of asbestos material. Occupational cancers Exposure to chemicals and toxins over time can lead to a serious risk of cancer development. Toxic pollutants in the air can also lead to these injuries. Repetitive stress and overuse injuries Much of the work done on board boats can also contribute to repetitive strain and overuse. Carpal tunnel is one example. Injuries resulting from assault or onboard violence Negligent security is another type of risk on board many boats. Assault from workers or others can lead to serious injuries. 4 Common Maritime Injury Claims Types: Any injury can be scary. Knowing your rights is super important. Consider these types of maritime injury claims in Seattle options. The key is to consider where the injury happened. You may have been working at the time of the accident. You may not have been working, but using someone else’s boat. You may also be visiting someone’s property. All of these factors contribute to who caused your injuries. Here are some types of claims you may file to recover your damages. Jones Act Claim: The Jones Act allows seamen to hold their employers accountable for negligence. That allows you to recover injuries from maritime work. This type of claim falls under the federal government laws. It only applies if you are a seaman. That means you spend 30% or more of your time on a vessel on navigable waters. This takes the place of workers’ compensation coverage. It allows you to seek compensation for lost wages. It also covers medical expenses. If you cannot go back to work, it may also provide disability protections. Maintenance and Cure Claims: Maintenance and Cure claims are a type of no-fault benefit. It provides for daily living expenses as well as medical care during a recovery. You will need this protection depending on when and how you were hurt. These claims cover your medical