subject: Jones Act Lawyer Straight Talk: When Should I Hire A Jones Act Attorney? [print this page] Jones Act Attorney Straight Talk Jones Act Attorney Straight Talk
This article is one in a series of Jones Act Lawyer Straight Talk articles. These articles, by a Jones Act Lawyer, are based upon 25 years of representing seriously injured Jones Act Seaman. If you search for "Jones Act Attorney Straight Talk" or "Jones Act Lawyer Straight Talk" on Google, you will find dozens of articles where we provide you with great free and useful information to help you win your Jones Act case. Here, a Jones Act Attorney gives it to you straight.
When Should I Hire a Jones Act Attorney?
We have been handling Jones Act Seaman cases since the 1980's. Too often we have seen seriously injured Jones Act Seaman wait too long to hire a Jones Act Attorney. You figure that you are getting your benefits - you don't want to rock the boat. Literally.
Your fear is completely understandable. You are seriously injured. Will you be able to go back to work on vessels? Can you go back to the only work that you may have ever known? Once you are seriously injured - your whole world is turned upside down.
It All Changes Once You Are Seriously Injured
You don't know who to trust - who you can depend on. Once you get hurt - it all changes. The guys that have worked alongside you for years - - are afraid to help you. They are afraid that if they help you - they will lose their jobs. Where do you turn?
It's A War
Truth is, once you are seriously injured on a vessel, you are at war with the insurance company. Know this: the insurance adjuster is not your friend. The insurance adjuster is the last one that you should be taking legal advice from. The insurance companies interests are not the same as your family's. The Jones Act insurance adjuster is being paid to take food off your family's table. Thinking anything else will cost you - big time.
You know that the Sea is brutal to the unprepared seafarer. It is the same with a Jones Act case. The law is brutal to the unprepared. You absolutely must have an attorney to go toe to toe with the Jones Act insurance company.
The deal is that if you don't have an attorney and your maintenance and cure is cut off then you are playing catch up. At some point, the insurance company is going to stop your maintenance and cure. By definition - maintenance and cure benefits are temporary. If you wait until they cut your benefits off to hire a Jones Act lawyer then you playing right into the insurance adjuster's hand, so to speak.
The more serious your injuries - the more likely that you are going to have to bring a lawsuit in order to get fair compensation. Everyday you wait to file your Jones Act lawsuit is another day you are farther away from getting the justice you deserve.
Disclaimer
This article is not legal advice. I am simplistic in order to achieve clarity. No two cases are ever the same. Your circumstances may differ from those decribed in this article. When you bring a court case - your credibility is always at issue. Always tell the truth. Don't try to hide prior injuries or fudge or exaggerate your injuries. Finally, hire the very best Jones Act Lawyer you can find.
