A Jones Act seaman, who suffered a hand injury after an accident on a barge, has filed a lawsuit against his employer. The lawsuit has been filed against Orion Construction in New Orleans. The seaman claims that the accident occurred on July 19, 2010. At the time, he was working on a pipe laying barge owned by Orion Construction. In his lawsuit, the seaman alleges that Orion Construction was negligent, failed to provide a safe workplace, failed to train the seaman, and failed to take precautions towards the safety of employees. The company also allegedly failed to provide safety equipment and created an unseaworthy vessel. The lawsuit claims damages for medical expenses, maintenance and cure, pain and suffering, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, disability and punitive damages. If you are a maritime worker on a barge, cruise ship, commercial fishing vessel, offshore rig or other type of vessel, then you may qualify as a Jones Act seaman. You may be covered under a set of maritime laws called the Jones Act, that provides for maintenance and cure benefits while you are ill, as well as the right to file an injury lawsuit against an employer. Don't expect your employer to educate you about your rights after an accident. If you have doubts about your Jones Act rights, contact a maritime attorney at my firm for a free initial consultation. You don't have to pay anything to talk with us. Image Courtesy: Flickr – Daquelle Manera
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