St. Louis Jones Act Maritime Injury Lawyers

Jones Act claim in Missouri

The Jones Act was created in order to offer help and protection to injured seamen. This Act allows injured sailors to recover damages from their employers for the negligence of the ship owner, the captain or fellow members of the crew. Its operative provision is found at 46 U.S.C. 688(a), which provides:

“Any sailor who shall suffer personal injury in the course of his employment may, at his election, maintain an action for damages at law, with the right to trial by jury, and in such action all statutes of the United States modifying or extending the common-law right or remedy in cases of personal injury to railway employees shall apply...”

The Jones Act allows United States seamen who have been injured to take legal action against ship owners based on claims of injury due to negligence or seaworthiness. A seaman injured on a ship, offshore oil rig, barge, tug boat, riverboat casino crew boat, tanker, trawler, fishing boat, shrimp boat, ferry, water taxi or other vessel is covered under the Jones Act. The Act typically covers all vessels on the ocean as well as intra-coastal rivers and canals, and any drivers, divers or other underwater personnel who have suffered injury or death.

Maritime law is both complicated and particular. Rules which determine the appropriate jurisdiction of where a Jones Act claim can be filed (a.k.a. venue), are very important and such must be followed precisely otherwise the claimant risks a possibility of getting the case "removed" to another jurisdiction. Due to the fact that a Jones Act claim implicates both Maritime and Common Law principles, it is critical to contact an experienced St. Louis Jones Act lawyer as soon as possible.

Have You Been Injured on Barge or Tugboat?

Working on tugboats and barges is very dangerous. Workers that travel up and down the Mississippi River are faced with countless safety hazards. When a captain fails to maintain his tug or barge in safe order, you can get hurt in the blink of an eye. When it is raining, sleeting, or snowing, these hazards are magnified 10x and workers are much more likely to get seriously injured or even killed.

Did your barge or tugboat injury involve any of the following factors?:

River spray or mist
Inadequate maintenance of the tug
Not enough workers on the boat (no spotters)
An inexperienced captain
Poor lighting conditions
Negligent co-worker
Lack of safety equipment
Missing or deficient floatation devices

If you or a loved one has been injured at sea or on a river, you will need a personal injury lawyer who can protect your rights and help to make sure you receive compensation as covered under the Jones Act. Only an attorney with experience in this particular area will be effective in asserting your rights and protecting your future. At Schultz Legal Group, we have extensive experience with the Jones Act and its application to Missouri state law.

Not sure if your injury is covered under the Jones Act? Contact St. Louis Jones Act Maritime Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz today and get the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side! Our lawyers are available anytime at (314) 732-1401, toll-free (866) 840-3636, or by email to discuss your Maritime injury claim. Don't be victimized twice.