Offshore Accidents

• Admiralty Law        • Jones Act  Lawyer       • Unseaworthiness

Admiralty law generally governs injuries and deaths caused by offshore accidents and negligence. Offshore is defined as within three miles of shore.

The Jones Act: provides protection for a "seaman" against the negligent acts of an employer or coworker that results in personal injury while working on a vessel. "Seaman" is a broad term that includes sailors and workers on offshore oilrigs, jack-up oil rigs, semi-submersible rigs and drill ships. Workers can be drillers, roughnecks, engineers, oilrig tool pushers, cooks and others. Claims must generally be brought within three years of the injury.

Unseaworthiness claims offer another avenue to address personal injury. A vessel owner owes a seaman a strict and absolute duty to provide a seaworthy vessel and competent crew. The vessel must be reasonably fit for its intended use and a safe place to work and live. Claims for compensation due to unseaworthiness must generally be brought within three years of the injury and combined with a Jones Act claim against the owner.

The attorneys at Thurlow & Associates, P.C. are highly experienced in admiralty law and the Jones Act and how they impact offshore accident personal injury lawsuits. As in all personal injury cases, time is of the essence.  You need a Jones Act Lawyer today!

Call us at 713-224-6774 or click here to contact us now.