Leg and Foot Injuries in Jones Act Cases

Accidents resulting in leg and foot injuries are an unfortunate part of working on commercial fishing and shipping vessels. These injuries range in severity. You may be out of work for a few weeks or you may never be able to return to work again. If you are a seaman who has suffered a leg or foot injury, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act. You should speak to an experienced maritime attorney as soon as possible to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

Being crushed by equipment or cargo, slipping on deck, and getting caught in a moving line are just a few of the countless ways that injuries to legs and feet can happen onboard a commercial fishing or shipping vessel. These accidents can cause devasting injuries, including:

• Broken bones;
• Crushed toes, feet, ankles, legs, and knees;
• Dislocations;
• Torn ligaments;
• Torn meniscuses;
• Cartilage injuries;
• Amputations;
• Bone infections; and
• Knee and hip replacements.

If your employer’s negligence caused your leg or foot injury, you can sue them under the Jones Act. Under the Jones Act, an employer has a duty to provide its seamen with a reasonably safe place to work. If employers observe applicable safety regulations and put forth necessary efforts to minimize risks of injury, accidents can often be prevented. Common examples of negligence in Jones Act cases include:

• Lack of safety equipment;
• Lack of safety procedures;
• Failure to properly secure equipment or cargo;
• Failure to repair or replace equipment;
• Inadequate warning signage;
• Failure to properly train crew in procedures and operations; and
• Lack of non-skid surfaces in passageways, stairwells, and corridors.

The employer’s negligence does need to be the sole cause of the injury. As long as their negligence played any role, however small, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act.

The damages available under the Jones Act are comprehensive and injured seamen may be entitled to significant compensation, including lost past wages, lost future wages, past and future medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, disability, loss of use of body parts, loss of enjoyment of life, lost future earning capacity, costs of re-education or retraining, lost fringe benefits, lost pension benefits, and lost vacation pay. Leg and foot injuries can be career-ending and financially devastating to you and your family. It is critical that you reach out to an experienced maritime attorney to find out what your rights are before signing anything offered to you by your employer or insurance company. There is a three-year statute of limitations for Jones Act claims, so you should not delay when pursuing your claim.

Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC is a nationally recognized leader in maritime personal injury law. Kraft Davies has significant experience representing seamen who have suffered leg and foot injuries against vessel owners, maritime employers, and maritime insurance companies. If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial fishing or shipping accident, contact the attorneys at Kraft Davies today at 206-624-8844 or through this website.