Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal statute that provides seamen with a negligence-based cause of action against his or her employer with the right to trial by jury. The U.S. Congress enacted the Jones Act when injured seamen were denied compensation unless they were able to prove that their injuries resulted from an unseaworthy condition of the ship.

You should be eligible for Jones Act benefits if you (1) have a connection to a vessel in navigation (or identifiable fleet of vessels) that is substantial in duration and nature; and (2) you contribute to the function of the vessel or to the accomplishment of its mission.

You may also be eligible if you work on offshore oil rigs which can be towed and are not permanently affixed to the ocean floor.

Jones Act benefits are referred to as "maintenance and cure." These benefits are similar to those available through traditional Workers' Compensation programs.

•Maintenance is paid out in a daily allowance, usually about $10 to $40 per day, to cover the food and shelter the injured seaman would have received aboard the vessel had the injury not occurred.

•Cure represents the employer's obligation to provide an injured seaman with appropriate medical care, hospitalization, and rehabilitation services, until the injured seaman reaches maximum medical improvement.

Learn more about the Jones Act.