In 1970, Congress enacted the Jones Act to protect inland and offshore workers who do not qualify for state workers’ compensation benefits. The Jones Act provides “maintenance and cure” benefits to injured seamen regardless of who is to blame for their injuries, and it allows injured seamen to seek additional compensation for “Jones Act negligence” and “unseaworthiness.” If you live in Georgia and work inland on one of the state’s many rivers, at the Port of Brunswick or Port of Savannah on the Atlantic Coast, or out in the open water, there is a very good chance that the Jones Act protects you. Here is an overview of what you need to know: The Jones Act Applies to All “Seamen” in Georgia To be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act, you must qualify as a “seaman.” You qualify as a seaman if: You work onboard a vessel “in navigation,” You spend a significant amount of your work time onboard the vessel, and Your work contributes to the vessel’s mission. If you work as a fisherman, onboard a shrimp boat or tugboat, or onboard any other type of boat or ship, you probably qualify as a seaman. If you are unsure whether you qualify because you only spend part of your work time onboard a vessel or because you don’t know whether your vessel is considered “in navigation,” you should speak with a Jones Act lawyer about your legal rights. There Are Three types of Jones Act Compensation If you […]
The post Can I File a Claim Under the Jones Act if I Live in Georgia? appeared first on Jones Act.