Mississippi Gulf Coast Maritime Law on Vessels

The Jones Act was created to protect the crews of our ships

Without the special protections offered to mariners by the Jones Act, injuries at sea were difficult to litigate. Arguments about the jurisdictional location of an accident were common. Confusion about the chain of liability was easily created by a maritime employer. But now, thanks to the Jones Act, your rights at sea are clear and you can pursue a settlement when you are injured.

Any vessel that employs a crew

If you are employed on a vessel and you contribute to its operation or function, then you should be protected by the Jones Act. Such vessels include:

Ships Crew boats Tankers Barges Freighters Tug boats Tow boats Supply boats

Tankers Semi-submersibles Shrimp boats Trawlers Fishing boats Ferries Water taxis Riverboats

• All other vessels on the ocean or intra-coastal rivers and canals

There are many types of mariners

You do not have to be a sailor or crew member in the traditional sense to take advantage of Jones Act protections. All kinds of work are done on a vessel, and if you are hurt while doing it, you have a Jones Act case.

Cook Engineer

Offloader Fish processor

Cruise ship workers are covered

If you are working in customer service or entertainment aboard a pleasure boat, you are contributing to the mission of the vessel:

Chef Hostess Wait staff Singer Dancer Musician

Steward Purser Bartender Photographer Casino staff Janitor

These types of employment typically require aggressive legal action to pass seaman status. If you are injured while doing any of the above work, you have a particularly strong need for an experienced maritime lawyer.

Injuries on boats are both familiar and unique

Some of the workplace injuries that we see on boats are very similar in appearance to the ones we see on land.

Slip and fall Machine injury

Physical assault Toxic exposure

Other injuries are unique to the nature of operating a seafaring vessel.

Crushed by sliding freight Slammed against deck Limbs broken while hauling nets

Fingers amputated by rigging Knocked overboard Burned in engine room fire

Maritime workers need specialized legal support

In Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Hattiesburg, The Gardner Law Firm has the maritime legal experience to win you the special settlement that you deserve if you have been injured while working full-time on a vessel. For a free assessment of your case, contact us now.