Who is Covered Under The Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that provides for claims by workers who are injured while in service to a vessel on navigable waters. Definition includes offshore oil drilling rigs and most barges, even those engaged in dredging. You may also be covered even if your injury occurred while in transport to the vessel, or while the vessel was docked. The term vessel includes boats, ships, barges, tugs, cruise ships, dredges, mobile offshore drilling units, helicopters and many others. You could be covered while staying in a hotel, eating in a restaurant, or if you are traveling under orders if you remain under the direction of your employer. If you were injured in the course of your employment and your injury occurred on or near the water, you should consult with an attorney knowledgeable about maritime law to determine if your injury is covered under the Jones Act. Be careful, some employers will try to keep their injured workers from knowing their legal rights. Maritime employers may tell
