Commercial Fishermen’s Accidents/The Jones Act
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Helping Injured Fishermen From Around The World

If you are injured on a tuna boat or another fishing vessel, you are not covered by traditional workers’ compensation. Your sole right to recovery is under The Jones Act and other maritime law.

At Banning LLP, our attorneys have a depth of experience in the laws that apply to injured fishermen. We represent commercial fishermen of the U.S. and foreign flag vessels worldwide that have a base of operations in the United States. Even if you are working on a foreign flag vessel, you may be entitled to claim rights under U.S. law.

Proving Negligence In The Jones Act Cases

Your employer may promise to take care of you after an accident. Without a lawyer to protect your rights, however, your employer may cut off maintenance (room and board) and cure (medical care), leaving you high and dry.

Under the law of maintenance and cure, you are entitled to a decent living expense and first-class medical care if you were injured in service of the vessel, regardless of who is at fault. In addition to room, board and medical care, you are entitled under The Jones Act to recover your lost wages and damages for your pain, suffering and disfigurement.

Under the Jones Act, you have to prove liability before you can recover compensation for your injury. To prove liability, you must prove negligence on the part of your employer or that the vessel was unseaworthy. There are many traps for the unwary, and your employer and its insurance company will do anything to avoid paying you the full benefits you deserve. Be careful that you are not coerced into signing accident reports and statements that do not accurately reflect the facts or taking a quick settlement from your employer or its insurance company by contacting an experienced and certified maritime and admiralty attorney.

To protect your rights, you should contact such an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Our lawyers have extensive experience proving liability and damages through the use of marine experts, economists, doctors and other experts.

You Pay Us Only If We Win

We represent commercial fishermen on a contingency fee basis, advancing all costs needed to prove your case. If we are unable to obtain compensation for you, you will owe no fees or costs.

Our attorneys have successfully litigated Jones Act cases throughout the western United States, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Basin.

Request A Free Consultation

To discuss your tuna or any other fishing boat injury case with an experienced maritime law, personal injury and insurance attorney, call 619-894-8212 or 888-351-7055 toll-free or contact us online. From our law office in Southern California, we represent injured commercial fishermen worldwide.

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