Injured on a Mississippi Shrimp Boat?

If you were injured on a shrimp boat, commercial fishing boat, or other vessel, it is important to be aware of how to file a claim and know exactly what your rights are. Crew members face constant dangers, whether from bad weather conditions, the negligence of others on board, the unseaworthiness of the vessel, and faulty equipment. This is why the Jones Act was created. The Jones Act, or the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, protects seamen who were injured while at sea. It allows them to file a lawsuit against their employers for negligence or the unseaworthiness of the vessel.

The Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is another law put into place to protect injured workers. This provides benefits to crew members, harbor workers, ship builders, and any other employee in a maritime-related occupation. Through this, employees are given payments for medical costs as well as a percentage of their average weekly wage while they are unable to work (66.66% of their earnings). If a spouse lost a loved one in an offshore accident, they can receive 50% of their weekly income, along with an additional 16.66% if they had any children.

Some employers put pressure on workers to return to work before they are able. You can choose to return to work before medical treatment is over, but that is entirely up to you. If you do not feel physically able to perform your duties but your doctor released you from care, you should talk to an offshore accident attorney. It is not in your best interests to exacerbate your injuries and thus increase recovery time. As there is also compensation available to those who now have reduced earning capacity because of their injuries, returning to work may hurt your ability to get the compensation you need.