Common Injuries Covered Under the Jones Act

Working on the water exposes you to hazards that land-based employees rarely face. Decks shift underfoot, machinery moves constantly, and crews work long hours in unpredictable weather. When accidents happen, the injuries can be severe—and recovery can take months or even years. The Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to pursue compensation when employer negligence plays any role in their injury.

At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, our attorneys have helped maritime workers across South Florida since 1976. We understand how to investigate vessel conditions, document unsafe practices, and hold companies accountable for unsafe working environments. If you were hurt at sea, our Miami maritime lawyers can help determine whether your injury qualifies for protection under the Jones Act.

The Jones Act protects seamen injured during the course of employment on a vessel in navigation. That means the law applies whether you were injured in port, at sea, or on inland waterways, as long as you contributed to the vessel’s mission. The Act allows you to bring a negligence claim against your employer and recover damages for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Unlike typical workers’ compensation claims, the Jones Act places responsibility on the employer when unsafe practices or unseaworthy conditions contribute to the accident. Even slight negligence—such as failing to provide proper training or ignoring safety hazards—can support a valid claim.

Maritime work combines physical labor with high-risk conditions. Our attorneys regularly represent seamen and crew members suffering from:

• Back and Neck Injuries – Heavy lifting, slips, or awkward movements can cause disc herniations and chronic pain.
• Fractures and Crush Injuries – Fingers, hands, or limbs can become trapped in machinery or heavy lines.
• Head and Brain Trauma – Falling gear or sudden vessel movement may result in concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
• Burns and Electrical Injuries – Engine rooms, welding operations, and galley equipment expose workers to heat and voltage hazards.
• Amputations – Lines under tension, unguarded winches, and hydraulic equipment can cause life-changing injuries.
• Knee, Shoulder, and Joint Damage – Repetitive motion or hard impacts can lead to torn ligaments and long-term stiffness.
• Hearing Loss – Continuous exposure to loud engines or alarms can cause permanent damage.
• Exposure Injuries – Chemicals, fuel vapors, or extreme weather can cause illness, frostbite, or heatstroke.

Every one of these injuries can qualify for compensation if employer negligence contributed to the event.

In addition to a negligence claim, seamen are entitled to maintenance and cure—basic living expenses and medical care until recovery. Maintenance covers your food, rent, and utilities, while cure includes hospital visits, therapy, and medications. Employers must pay these benefits regardless of fault. If they refuse, you can take legal action to enforce your rights and recover additional damages.

Our firm helps clients calculate full maintenance and cure amounts, ensuring that payments continue until you reach maximum medical improvement.

The Jones Act’s legal standard favors injured workers, but employers and insurers often challenge claims. To succeed, you must show that negligence—no matter how small—played a role in your injury. Examples include:

• Inadequate training or unsafe work orders
• Broken or poorly maintained equipment
• Slippery decks or unsecured ladders
• Overworked or short-staffed crews
• Failure to provide safety gear or enforce rules

We work with maritime engineers and safety experts to uncover evidence and connect unsafe practices directly to your injury.

Maritime injuries often lead to more than temporary pain. Many workers experience permanent disabilities, chronic pain, or psychological trauma that ends their seagoing careers. For example:

• A deckhand with a spinal injury may never lift heavy gear again.
• A welder with severe burns may struggle to return to confined workspaces.
• A mate suffering from post-traumatic stress after a collision may need long-term counseling.

These are not short-term setbacks. Our attorneys build comprehensive cases that include medical projections, lost earning potential, and the emotional toll of life-altering injuries.

The root cause of many maritime injuries comes down to preventable negligence. Some of the most frequent examples include:

• Failure to inspect and maintain vessels
• Poor communication between supervisors and crew
• Lack of safety equipment or training
• Inadequate rest periods leading to fatigue
• Pressure to meet deadlines despite unsafe conditions

By demonstrating how these failures violated maritime safety standards, we strengthen your right to recover full compensation on account of your injury.

In some cases, an injury arises from an unseaworthy vessel, rather than direct employer negligence. A ship is considered unseaworthy if it is unsafe or improperly equipped for its purpose. Many claims involve both theories—negligence under the Jones Act and unseaworthiness under general maritime law.

Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada evaluates every case for both potential claims to ensure you receive the maximum recovery allowed by law.

South Florida’s maritime industry operates under unique conditions—cruise ships, tugs, freight carriers, and offshore supply vessels all move through the region’s ports daily. Local attorneys understand the environment, the employers, and the investigative steps necessary to secure evidence before it disappears. Our familiarity with the Miami maritime community helps us act quickly and effectively on behalf of injured crew members.

If you were hurt while working at sea, the Jones Act can give you the right to compensation that covers far more than medical bills. Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada can investigate your claim, gather evidence of employer negligence, and demand maximum recovery for your injuries.

We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call 877-448-8585 today to speak with a Miami Jones Act lawyer and learn how we can help you protect your rights under federal maritime law.