Miami Jones Act Lawyer
Handling Jones Act Claims and Crew Member Accident Claims in Miami
Seamen are often in harm's way. The definition of a seaman includes deck hands, officers, cooks, waiters, engineers, cruise shop concessionaires and other crewmembers in the cruise or shipping industry.
Wet decks, unsecured and shifting cargo or objects, line breaks or other unsafe work conditions can quickly cause accidents resulting in:
- Slip-and-fall injuries, such as broken bones and fractures
- Lifting injuries, such as serious back injury
- Leg and knee injuries
- Head and neck injuries
These injuries can severely limit or prevent a crewmember from performing his or her normal responsibilities. If you were injured at work on or near a cruise ship, charter boat, barge, tanker, container ship or other seagoing vessel, a Jones Act lawyer from the Miami law firm of Michael C. Black, P.A., can help you understand your rights.
Our Florida attorney represents clients in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout the country with their Jones Act claims. Because Mr. Black is a Board Certified Maritime Lawyer, we can offer clients the expert counsel they need for their complex claims.
Contact our firm today for a free initial consultation with an experienced maritime law and Jones Act claim attorney.
Collecting Maintenance and Cure Damages in Addition to Jones Act
Under the Jones Act of 1916, an employee may file a claim against his or her employer if the employer failed to provide a "seaworthy" vessel or if the employer's negligence directly resulted in the employee's accident and injury.
A crewmember can collect compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Maintenance and Cure
- Other Damages
If you are injured, you are entitled to maintenance and cure benefits until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). Your employer has a duty to provide you with room and board and the reasonable medical care needed - regardless of who is at fault. A successful Jones Act claims attorney can help you collect these damages.
At Michael C. Black, P.A., our Jones Act lawyer can investigate your injury claim thoroughly. Our goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Do Not Wait to Talk With a Jones Act Attorney if You Are Injured
While injured cruise line passengers have only one year from the date of injury to file a cruise ship lawsuit, crewmembers who were injured on the job have three years from the date of injury. It is important to contact an experienced Jones Act attorney as soon as possible after an accident to gather evidence to support your claim.
Attorney Mike Black will immediately begin to investigate the accident, talk with eyewitnesses, review your employer's records of the event, and review doctors' reports and medical records to prepare a strong case. Cruise lines and other maritime employers sometimes do not treat their employees well.
An injured cruise crewmember's best advocate is an experienced and skilled
maritime lawyer who understands crewmembers' rights under the Jones Act.
If you are a cruise ship crewmember or harbor worker who was injured on the job, we can help. Call Michael C. Black, P.A. at (305) 964-8792 or use our online contact form to request your free initial consultation.
