subject: Maritime Workers : Supported By Jones Act Law [print this page] One of the most high demand for workers was the Maritime Industry. You were aware that the mentioned industry was one of the most riskiest industry though they offer high compensation to their workers.
Often time maritime workers were working more number of hours compared to regular employee and they may be working offshore for couple of months. This routine came to be the reason of putting the workers into a great risk. You may ask, Why it was said so? This was because working longer number of hours may lead to over fatigue which may end up to a health complications, this was the same for working offshore for months, they were expose to chemicals and woks several hours and yet the lack proper medical assistance for this instance. If you were aware of the currents events and news, you may notice that this came as the primary reasons of personal injuries and accidents while rendering their services in a company under a maritime industry.
You could realize how hard it was for a maritime worker, risking their lives to earn a living. You may also wonder what will happen to the workers in the event that they met an accident or got a personal injury? Will they having claims from the company? What was the company's basis to settle the issues on workers claims?
In 1920, Senator Wesley Jones passed the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 or commonly known as the Jones Act Law. The said law passed in response to the needs of the maritime workers. It serves as the protection of the maritime worker, to avoid negligence and to see to it that they were treated fair if they suffer from accident or an injury. The said workers entitled to full compensation under the Jones Act for the impact their injuries have on their livelihood if they were injured. Dockworker injuries, Tanker or cargo ship injuries, In land maritime injuries, Offshore rig injuries, tugboat or barge injuries, Ferry or water taxi injuries. Fishing trawler injuries and work boat injuries were some of those covered by the Jones Act Law.
As a maritime worker you must be responsible to know those privileges and claims, the law serves as your protection to avoid a worker end up helplessly and be neglected, It was you life that was at risk and always consider it at the same time those who depends on you like your family.
