Maritime Blog 
Diver Accident Lawyer
Jones Act Cases
- Jones Act injury case against Waterman Steamship
- Injured worker sues D&S Marine Services under the Jones Act
- We are pleased to announce the coming publication of The Complete Guide to Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims
- Offshore back and neck injuries at sea, on vessels, or on offshore oil rigs
- Jones Act Lawsuit Against Kirby Inland Marine and Capital Inland Marine
- Preventing offshore slip and fall injuries by using non-slip coatings on walking and working surfaces
- Can I negotiate an offshore injury case myself without hiring an attorney?
- Resolve Marine Hit With Jones Act Lawsuit After Boat Crashes Into Jetty
- SEAMEN'S ALERT - Important Warning for Injured Offshore Workers and Seamen
- Injured Worker Sues Horizon Offshore Following Back Injury
Maritime Injury & Death Cases
- Widow of deceased barge worker sues barge company under Jones Act
- Man Injured on Norweigian Cruise Line cruise ship near Miami
General
- Exxon Valdez case - Punitive damages allowed under maritime law
- New Longshore and Harbor Worker's case against Noble Drilling protects injured worker's rights
- Injured employee sues Matteson Marine Service under the Jones Act
- Houston Police Officer Dies in Crash with Truck
- Global Industries Offshore Settles Jones Act Case Brought by Injured Rigger
V&B Maritime Law News
- Navigazione Montanari S.p.A. and Pelican Offshore Services settle Jones Act case with mooring master
- 5th Circuit Upholds 1.2 million dollar Jones Act verdict
- Settlement for offshore welder who injured back
- Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims Book
- Lawsuit Filed Against Blessey Marine Under the Jones Act
- Houston Maritime Death - Man Killed While Loading Ship
- Hoosier Marine Hit With Lawsuit By Injured Worker
- Injured Galleyhand Sues Universal Sodexho and Rowan Under Jones Act
- Worker Sues Diamond Offshore for exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Worker Sues Pride Offshore For Forcing Him to Work In An Unsafe Position
V&B Frequent Questions
General
- Am I required to give a written statement after I am injured?
- If I am injured offshore, am I required to sign paperwork in exchange for receiving medical benefits or maintenance payments?
- If I suffer an offshore injury, am I required to see only company doctors?
- If no one is at fault for my injury offshore, do I still get an medical benefits or wage replacement/lost wages?
- If I am injured offshore, can I bring claims for negligence against the parties who are at fault?
- I was injured on a U.S. government vessel - Do I have a Jones Act case?
- How do I know if I am a Jones Act "seaman?"
- What is General Maritime Law?
- What does "unseaworthiness" mean??
- What is "maintenance and cure?"
The difference between Jones Act and Longshoremen
Many times, injured workers who are injured on boats or rigs offshore, or on the docks, or while boats are docked and not sailing, etc. will ask me whether they are Longshoremen or Jones Act seamen, or something else.The answer to this question is absolutely critical in determining your legal rights if you are injured.
So, what is the difference between a Longshoreman and a Jones Act seaman, and how do YOU figure out which one you are? This article will provide some guidance in answering that question.
How to determine if you are a Jones Act seaman, Longshoreman, or something else
1. Get a consultation with an experienced martime lawyer.
The Jones Act, Longshore Act, and maritime law is complicated, complex, messy, and uncertain in many ares. That specifically includes whether workers are Jones Act seamen or Longshoremen.
You would not try to self-diagnose a medical condition, would you? And you should not try to self-diagnose your legal status under maritime law either.
Also, make sure the lawyer you talk to knows what he or she is talking about. Most lawyers don't do maritime law, have no idea what the difference is between a Longshoreman or Jones Act seaman, and will not be able to give you sound legal advice on this issue.
2. Gather paystubs, work descriptions, etc.
You need to gather up information on your work history and responsibilities. What you did, when you did, and for how long will all be important things for your maritime injury lawyer to evaluate
3. Check this website often
We try to keep this website up to date with the latest court cases and maritime law issues. Hopefully, by reviewing this website, you can answer a lot of questions without ever having to call a lawyer.
General guidance on the difference between a Longshoreman and a Jones Act seaman
So by the time you've got to this part of the website, you're probably ready for an answer other than "talk to a good lawyer."
This next section will give some general guidance about the difference between a longshoreman and a Jones Act seaman. It is NOT intended to be legal advice. This area of the law is too complicated for anything but a face-to-face or phone consultation with a lawyer to give good, solid, reliable legal advice.
But some general guidelines may be helpful.
Longshoreman
Generally, longshoremen are people who work on the docks, loading and unloading boats and moving cargo around, into, off of, and around boats and docks.
People who do this work exclusively are probably going to be Longshoremen. Which means they fall under the Longshore & Habor Workers Compensation Act.
Jones Act seamen
Generally, workers who work over the water for extended periods of time on boats of all kinds, oil rigs, movable platforms, etc. and who go out to sea are considered Jones Act seamen.
And that means that their legal rights are under the Jones Act, which is a federal statute and series of court case decisions interpreting that law. The Jones Act is generally better than the LHWCA because there are more "remedies," meaning more opportunity for compensation.
Longshoremen or Jones Act seamen - tricky cases
What about workers who work part time on boats or tugs and part time in the docks or onshore? What about platform workers? Or what about maintenance workers who go out to sea on a temporary basis? What about casino boat workers? Commercial scuba divers?
The list of exceptions and complications goes on and on. That is why you must speak with a lawyer who knows what he or she is talking about when it comes to maritime injury cases.
Best of luck!
About the firm
Our law firm is a firm of board-certified personal injury trial lawyers with extensive experience handling serious personal injury and wrongful death matters, including Jones Act, Longshore, and General Maritime Injury cases.
Mr. Beckcom practices at Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C., a Houston-based law firm with a national practice.
To contact Mr. Beckcom and schedule an appointment to discuss your legal matter or for press inquiries, call toll free 877.724.7800.
To learn more about the firm, visit the following websites:
www.vbattorneys.com (main website)
www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com
www.themaritimelawyer.com
Quick Contact Form
Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801
Library
Jones Act Cases
- Cruise ship injury cases - What are my legal rights if I am hurt on a cruise ship?
- The number one mistake to wreck your maritime injury case
- I was exposed to benzene, asbestos, or another toxic substance as part of my maritime employment - What are my legal rights?
- Injured in the Gulf of Mexico - What Law Applies?
- You have legal remedies if you are hurt on a cruise ship
Maritime Injury & Death Cases
- Tricks Offshore Employers Use on Injured Workers
- I was involved in an accident offshore and the insurance company wants me to give a recorded statement - What should I do?
- Five Things You Must Know If You Suffered An Offshore Injury
- Injured Offshore? Here are five helpful tips for navigating your legal voyage
- 5 Secrets Your Offshore Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore
Diver Accident Lawyer
- Diving Injuries - Are Diving Injuries Covered Under the Jones Act?
- What Law Covers Diving Accidents & Injuries?
General
- Financial Insecurity & Wrongful Termination - Two Big Fears When You Suffer An On-The-Job Injury
- Oil Platform Injury Cases
- How to hire the best lawyer for your injury or accident case
- I was injured on an offshore jack-up rig or oil platform - What are my legal rights to compensation?
- Reporting your offshore injury