I worked on a jack-up rig until I suffered severe injuries in a heavy machinery accident. Can I file a lawsuit under the Jones Act?
A seaman must be the crew member of a “vessel” to recover under the Jones Act. Cargo ships, barges, tugboats and cruise ships easily classify as vessels. As the maritime industry has changed, the definition of a vessel has expanded to also include jack-up and semi-submersible rigs and other special-purpose vessels, such as mobile offshore drilling units, dredges and pontoon rafts. If you work on a fixed oil platform, you may not be eligible to bring a Jones Act claim. However, you should still contact a lawyer to learn more about other maritime remedies that may be available to compensate for your injuries.
