Texas Personal Injury Lawyers – Jim Adler & Associates – Blog

Offshore oil workers face injury from explosions, toxic gases, drowning, and risks associated with diving, deafness, burns, fires, helicopter accidents, hurricanes, icebergs – and while rare, earthquakes and tsunamis.The Jones Act, a major maritime law, protects them from an employer’s negligence in these situations. It also protects seamen and those who work on cruise ships and commercial vessels of all types, including river boats and tug boats, fishermen and fish processors, among others. Important amendments were added to this 1920’s federal law in 2006. Chances of recovery under the Jones Act are enhanced since the injured worker only has to show that “employer negligence played any part, even in the slightest, in producing the injury…..” Offshore oil workers may even recover damages if they are hurt in vehicular accidents traveling from one company location to another. Scientists on oceanographic research vessels are now included on the list of those covered by The Jones Act. Benefits under The Jones Act include weekly checks and medical care. But Jones Act cases can be complex. Injured workers should never communicate or negotiate with an employer before contacting a lawyer.