The Jones Act is also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The Merchant Marine Act defines the legal rights of a sailor who is injured or killed as a result of negligence on the part of vessel’s owner or other sailors. The law outlines the right to sue their employer and the right to receive a trial by jury. Before the law was passed in 1920, sailors did not have these rights on a consistent basis. Sailor’s rights were very limited until the law was passed.
The Merchant Marine Act is considered to be a milestone in liability law. One of the motivators for Congress to enact this law was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The accident was the largest of its kind and was widely publicized worldwide, bringing a heightened public awareness to maritime accidents. Additionally World War I brought concerns about merchant marine safety. In 1915, Congress put safety requirements in place as a way to protect the welfare of American seamen serving in the Merchant Marines. This was the precursor to the Merchant Marine Act.
The Jones Act, as it has come to be known, formally provided for legal rights of sailors. It specifically outlines that any seaman who suffers a personal injury may seek action for damages with the right to a trial. The definition of seaman came to be unclear as the years went by. Through various legal actions, the term now includes workers on oil rigs and dredges. To be covered under the Jones Act, a person must have duties that contribute to the function of a vessel or to its mission. If you have been injured as the result of a maritime accident, you may be covered under this law. Consult with an experienced maritime attorney to review your case.
875 Replies to “Understanding the Jones Act”
Comments are closed.