Personal Injury Law

Questions about the Jones Act: What is it?

The Jones Act is a law Congress enacted to protect workers who are injured on a ship or vessel. The Jones Act governs the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for the work-related injury or death of an employee. It is a federal cause of action, meaning that the United States Congress intended for all seaman's injuries throughout the nation to be guided by the same liability standards of the Jones Act. Jones Act cases are different from normal Illinois workers' compensation lawsuits: in a Jones Act lawsuit, you may seek to recover past and future economic loss, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of capacity to enjoy life, loss of the ability to perform household services and take care of yourself, and other damages recoverable under the maritime law.

Full post as published by Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog on May 12, 2008 (boomark / email).