When people think of maritime work, they often picture professional fishermen working in the Puget Sound area or maybe ferryman who runs ships up and down the east coast. Others may think of the Mississippi River, which is a navigable waterway and the source of much industry. Few people stop to think about the Great Lakes as a source of maritime employment. However, they are one of the largest sources of maritime work in the country, accounting for roughly 20% of the employees who are covered under the Jones Act. If workers get hurt on the job in Illinois, typically they just file for workers ..read more

If you go on a large cruise ship or some other such civilian vessel, it is probably going to have a doctor on staff. This person will ride along with the ship and provide aid to those who need it. You certainly do want to check with the cruise line before you get on the boat, but this is a fairly common practice. But what about a commercial ship that you are on as an employee? Say that you work on a freighter or you are somehow involved in the transportation of cargo. If you have to spend time at sea, should you expect the company to provide a doctor for you? The ship’s crew learns first aid W ..read more

Workers’ compensation benefits protect almost all employees from the risk of getting hurt or sickened by working. Part-time and full-time workers have equal access to benefits. Even someone who gets hurt on their very first day at a new job can claim workers’ compensation benefits for the medical treatment that they require and any necessary time off of work. Unfortunately, there are limitations to the workers’ compensation system. Specifically, it operates on a state-by-state basis. Those working in the maritime industry on the Mississippi River could easily get hurt on the job. When they do ..read more

There is nothing that feels worse than knowing you cannot work because you were hurt badly on the job. You have suddenly lost your source of income on top of having to deal with painful symptoms of your condition. The good news for those working in the maritime industry is that there is a potential for you to make a claim for compensation if you are covered under the Jones Act. If this act doesn’t cover your case, then workers’ compensation could be an alternative route for seeking replacement wages or medical cost support. Who can qualify for support with the Jones Act? Generally speaking, an ..read more

Unlike most land-based workers in the United States, maritime workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state or federal laws if they are injured on the job. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – commonly known as the Jones Act – is a federal law protecting injured mariners by giving them the right to sue their employer for negligence. Workers covered under the Jones Act In general, maritime workers, or seamen, are workers who perform a significant amount of work on any “vessel in navigation,” which is a legal term, meaning the ship or boat must be: In operation Afloat Capa ..read more