The second largest body of water in the world, the Atlantic Ocean covers more than 20% of the entire surface of the Earth. Stretching between the Americas, Europe, and Africa, the Atlantic Ocean is home to thousands of different species of marine life and is a vital source of maritime work ranging from cruise ship workers to oil rig workers and many other types of maritime workers.
The size and conditions of the Atlantic Ocean can pose unique and specific threats, challenges, and hazards to anyone relying on the Atlantic to earn their livelihood. From passenger vessels sinking in rough waters (such as the famous wreck of the Titanic) to explosions aboard oil rigs, injuries loading or unloading cargo, and many more, the Atlantic can prove to be a tragically common place for maritime injuries to occur.
However, that isn’t to say you’re completely without options in event of an injury or accident. If you have been hurt or fallen ill while working on the Atlantic Ocean, you may be able to seek financial compensation and damages for your injuries.
The Jones Act and the Atlantic Ocean
Any worker on a vessel flying the American flag is protected by the Jones Act, a series of laws written to protect maritime workers from exploitation and defend their financial stability in the event of an accident or an injury.
Specifically, the Jones Act works to hold liable any shipowner (be it a company, a private entrepreneur, or so on) who allows their crew to come to harm through inaction or carelessness. Many of the most common Atlantic Ocean maritime injuries are caused by inattentive shipowners or crew members not following safety protocols or not ensuring needed equipment is safely installed and operated. For example, if you slip and fall on an oil slick from malfunctioning equipment and injure your back, the Jones Act gives you the ability to sue for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from your injury if the shipowner is found at fault.
Negligence on the Atlantic Ocean can take many forms, from failure to properly train or warn crew members regarding dangerous conditions, failure to inspect or maintain equipment and vessels, and many more. Whatever the cause of your injury, the Jones Act is there to help defend your rights.
What Can I Do If I Am Injured On The Atlantic Ocean?
No matter how serious – or minor – your injury may be, the Jones Act is there to help you recover lost wages and medical expenses. Whatever the injury or illness, the Jones Act attorneys of O’Bryan Law you can get started on the road towards the justice you deserve. Schedule a free case consultation today and let us stand up for your rights. Our loyalties are always to you – never to the big corporations.
*Dennis M. O’Bryan is enrolled to practice before the Second, Third, and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals which decides appeals from the federal district courts of New York (2nd), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (3rd), and Virginia, North and South Carolina (4th). In those federal district courts in which he is not generally enrolled to practice, he gains admission pro hac vice, on a case by case basis, by securing the sponsorship of a reputable local attorney. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, where his office is located.