There is a definitive law that protects seaman as well as people working on the docks or harbors. The law keeps in mind the very difficult working conditions that exist. The act known as the Jones Act for such cases governs the compensation which should be given as a right to worker who falls ill or is suffers an injury; though it is strongly recommended that the victim should engage a Gulf Coast Maritime Lawyer to deal in this matter, especially since the law is little specific and complicated. The Jones law has a set of rules and statutes which form the basis of the law. The Jones act itself is part of a much a bigger Maritime Commerce law in America.
The law basically states that if a seaman or worker is injured due to the negligence of the company or fellow crew members while working on the vessel then he is entitled to compensation. That compensation can be payment of medical and hospital bills, loss of future pay due to being away from work for contract workers and in some cases loss of future income if the injury suffered is long term. There are also cases of personal injury suffered due to Texas Maritime Accident in the Gulf Coast region which have resulted in untimely death. The family of the victim has the rights to compensation against all future earnings that now are not possible.
The Serious Issue of Death in International Waters
The Jones act also governs serious issues like death on the high seas. The victims of the family more specifically the widow can actually seek compensation for loss of future income. It is important for the shipping company to provide proper vessels that is worthy of use on the high seas. The vessel should meet the standard security and safety requirements as per the Maritime Law. But if there is a failure resulting in death then the company is directly responsible for compensation to the victim's family. It is important for the family to engage a highly qualified Gulf Coast Maritime Lawyer to fight for justice.
The Jones Act - The Statue of Limitations
The statue of limitations for the Jones Act clearly states that the victim or the victim's family have to file for their compensation within three years of the date of the accident. There is of course an exception to this rule that if the vessel was being managed, operated or owned by the Federal US Government then the statue of limitations period is lesser. It is highly recommended that to know complete details of the law is to hire an experienced Gulf Coast Maritime Lawyer.