If you live in North Carolina and work offshore, you probably are not eligible for benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation law. However, you may be eligible for other types of benefits. Two federal laws – the Jones Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) – protect offshore workers who get injured on the job. A maritime injury attorney can assess your rights under these laws and help you collect the benefits you deserve. Understanding Your Rights as an Offshore Worker in North Carolina Lots of North Carolina residents work offshore. Whether you fish for a living, run charters, work onboard a barge or dredge, or work onboard any other commercial vessel, if you are part of North Carolina’s maritime industry, you have clear legal rights. Your Rights Under the Jones Act For most offshore workers, these rights exist under the Jones Act. The Jones Act is a federal law that applies to offshore workers who are not eligible for state workers’ compensation benefits. If you spend a substantial amount of each workday onboard a vessel “in navigation” (which can include a vessel tied up at a dock or mooring, as long as it is capable of moving), then there is a good chance that the Jones Act protects you. Under the Jones Act, injured maritime workers in North Carolina can file three types of claims: “No fault” claims for maintenance and cure benefits Claims for full compensation based on “Jones Act negligence” Claims for full compensation based […]
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