If you were injured as a maritime employee, you are likely covered by the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). However, LHWCA benefits only go so far. You may have other options. You may be able to pursue compensation under the Jones Act. But what goes into this process? What happens if you don’t know where to begin?
You don’t have to parse through complicated legalese or get a law degree to seek benefits. Instead, you can entrust your case to a Jones Act lawyer serving Ellensburg. Herschensohn Law has been instrumental in developing Washington State legislature that governs how maritime workers seek benefits, and we can help you secure financial recovery. Call (206) 588-4344 to begin a free, no-obligation case review.
The aftermath of suffering a maritime injury can quickly get complicated. You might worry whether you have options at all.
Here’s a bit of reassurance: no matter how your injury took place, if you were injured during the normal scope of your job-related obligations, you have financial recovery options. These options include:
We can evaluate your options as soon as we learn about your situation.
A Jones Act lawyer from Herschensohn Law can:
Maritime law can get very complicated, and the involved attorneys will be very experienced in handling these cases. In a situation like this, you want legal counsel on your side. While you recover from your work-related condition, we can advocate for your best interests, whether through a claim or lawsuit.
Attorneys have a reputation for being expensive. Yet, you don’t have to be wealthy to afford legal help. In fact, you don’t have to have a dime in your savings account. That’s because Herschensohn Law works on a contingency-fee basis. This arrangement allows anyone to afford legal help regardless of their financial standing.
But how does this work? First, we sit down and discuss the facts of your case. Then, we explain our fee agreement—we’ll take a percentage of your settlement or court award when you win your case. You’ll know this percentage from the very beginning, and you’ll get a copy of our agreement in writing, so you know what to expect.
You can learn more about our contingency-fee arrangement during a free case review.
While those who work on land can file basic workers’ compensation claims to recover benefits, it is more complicated for maritime workers. So, the federal government passed the Jones Act to ensure that those who work on vessels have financial recovery options after suffering a serious injury.
To be eligible to receive compensation under the Jones Act, you must:
If you meet all three of these requirements, then you can file a claim under the Jones Act.
What types of damages you can recover depend on your situation. There are two types of claims, and we can help you manage both concurrently. Your options may include filing a:
When you file a maintenance and cure claim, you don’t have to prove fault. Rather, you show that you were injured while on the job and deserve damages. A maintenance and cure claim is very similar to the standard procedure for seeking workers’ compensation.
If approved, the liable party must provide you with proper compensation for daily living expenses (maintenance) and medical expenses related to your injury (cure). You’re generally eligible for these benefits, even if your own negligence contributed to the incident.
You can sue your employer if you suffered injuries or lost a loved one while on a maritime vessel.
Suing your employer requires you to prove negligence—another thing our firm can help you with. Proving negligence involves showing that because another party put your safety at risk, you were injured and have quantifiable damages.
Through a Jones Act claim, you could seek financial recovery for your medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering.
Vessel negligence is when an employer fails to keep a vessel reasonably safe. For instance, if a vessel’s crew fails to implement regular safety checks, workers could suffer injuries. If vessel negligence played a role in your accident and injuries, you could seek damages through the Jones Act.
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Proving negligence is a key component if you’re seeking damages through a Jones Act claim. Yet, while dealing with a serious condition, you might struggle to prove negligence on your own. That’s where we come in.
Our team can assemble the evidence needed for a successful claim. Then, using the information we gather, we can assert that:
Herschensohn Law manages every aspect of your injury claim. From gathering evidence to proving negligence, we do everything in our power to build the strongest possible case.
It’s understandable to have questions after suffering an injury aboard a maritime vessel. Some of your questions may include:
Eligibility is complex; you may qualify and not know it. People who may be eligible for a Jones Act claim include:
You can research the Jones Act and how it pertains to you. Or, you could consult with our Ellensburg Jones Act lawyers. We can answer all your questions and provide you with advice on how to move forward with your claim.
46 U.S.C. § 30106 states that you generally have three years from the time of your injury to file a lawsuit under the Jones Act. Building your case can take time, so contacting an attorney shortly after you suffer your injury ensures they have adequate time to thoroughly explore your case.
At Herschensohn Law, our lawyers will work tirelessly from the time we are hired to file your claim within the applicable deadline. Yet, we must learn about your case in a timely manner before we can advocate for you.
If you are a maritime worker who was injured in Alaska or on Alaskan waters, then you deserve to recover compensation for your damages. After your injury, you may feel overwhelmed as you try to navigate your financial recovery options. Yet, in a time like this, you’re not alone.
At Herschensohn Law, our lawyers can help you understand your next steps. We can assist by building your case, filing your claim, and negotiating for what you deserve. Contact our Ellensburg Jones Act lawyers at (206) 588-4344 for a free consultation.
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.
