Maritime workers are covered by a different set of laws for workplace injuries than many other Seattle employees. Maritime workplace injuries can be catastrophic and sometimes deadly, leaving victims and their families wondering where to turn for medical care or how they will pay their bills. If this happens to you, you don’t have to worry alone. An experienced Seattle, WA Jones Act claim injury lawyer can help you learn about your rights under federal law and how to demand full and fair compensation for your injuries, mental distress, and other losses. Contact Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC, today for a free case review.
Most Seattle employees have their workplace injury medical care covered by Washington Workers’ Compensation. This employer-paid benefit covers medical treatment associated with the workplace injury, a partial wage benefit to help you pay your bills while you’re out of work recovering from your injury, and a schedule of benefits if your injury qualifies as disabling.
However, maritime workers, like seamen, offshore drilling and rig operators, dockworkers, and those working on navigable waters, aren’t usually eligible for Washington workers’ comp. Instead, if you’re a maritime worker and get injured on the job, you can file for compensation under the Jones Act, a federal law that permits you to seek compensation for the damages caused by the workplace accident.
The Jones Act offers more types of compensation and a greater scope of benefits than workers’ comp. For example, you can file for the pain and suffering you experience from your injuries and any loss of quality of life the accident caused. You aren’t eligible for those benefits under workers’ comp.
Not exactly. To secure benefits under the Jones Act, you and your attorney must prove that your employer was negligent. Under workers’ compensation, you just have to establish that your injury is work-related and that you qualify for coverage, which is a fairly low bar.
Proving employer negligence under the Jones Act can be tough, especially if you aren’t familiar with the Act’s provisions or how to go about building a case. An attorney familiar with Jones Act injury claims can help by:
With a lawyer, you have a much better chance of a positive outcome than if you tried to file a Jones Act injury claim on your own.
Do you need help securing your benefits under the Jones Act? Has your claim been unfairly denied? We can help! Contact a skilled Seattle Jones Act claim injury lawyer at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC today for a one-on-one free consultation.
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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.
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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.
Lawyer fees for car accident cases vary. Most work on a contingency basis, taking 25% to 40% of the settlement. Hourly rates might range from $100 to $500+. Additional costs like filing fees can apply. Free consultations help you understand the fee structure.
Most injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, taking 25% to 40% of the settlement or award. This means they’re only paid if they win your case.
In Florida, lawyers typically take a contingency fee of around 33% to 40% of the settlement amount in personal injury cases. This fee structure ensures they are paid only if your case is successful.
