Compensation through a Jones Act claim can help an injured maritime worker with dealing with the financial ramifications of their injury. However, pursuing a Jones Act claim is often not a simple matter. For one, maritime workers who have brought a Jones Act claim can face vigorous efforts to contest the claim by their employer (and its insurers).
For one, an employer may try to argue that the maritime worker isn't eligible for Jones Act compensation. One of the requirements to have compensation rights under this act is that one must be a seaman. Many factors can impact whether a given worker falls under the definition of a seaman for purposes of the act. So, whether a worker meets this definition can sometimes be a battleground in Jones Act cases.
There are also a variety of different tactics employers may go to try to lower the amount of compensation a worker gets in relation to a Jones Act claim as much as possible.
Given how much can be riding on a Jones Act claim for a hurt maritime worker, such a worker may be quite discouraged and worried when facing strong resistance over their claim from their employer. They may fear there is no hope in prevailing over their employer's efforts.
An important thing for maritime workers pursuing Jones Act relief to be aware of is that they do not have to fight for their claim on their own. Skilled maritime injury attorneys can provide maritime workers with representation in Jones Act claims. Such lawyers understand the complex nature of such claims and the tactics employers often use in response to such claims, and can assist hurt workers in their efforts to get the financial relief they are entitled to.
