• About
    • Our Attorneys
    • Verdicts and Settlements
    • Community
      • Sponsorship Request
      • Partnerships
      • Project Backpack
    • Testimonials
    • Scholarships
      • Cancer Scholarship
    • Careers
    • Our Core Values
  • Practice Areas
    • Car Accident
    • Truck Accident
    • Motorcycle Accident
    • Product Liability
    • Mesothelioma
    • Workers Compensation
    • Dog Bite
    • Slip and Fall
    • Wrongful Death
    • Maritime Injury
    • Pedestrian Accident
    • Dangerous Drugs
    • Defective Devices
    • Mass Torts
    • Premises Liability
    • View All Practice Areas
  • Areas we Serve
    • Lafayette
    • Alexandria
    • New Iberia
    • Marksville
    • New Orleans
    • Monroe
    • Arnaudville
    • Baton Rouge
    • Breaux Bridge
    • Broussard
    • Cankton
    • Carencro
    • Cecilia
    • Duson
    • Cade Coteau
    • Grand Coteau
    • Lake Charles
    • Opelousas
    • View All Areas We Serve
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Videos
    • For Referring Attorneys
  • Hurricanes
  • Contact Us
Available 24/7 • 365 Days (337) 777-7777 Hablamos Español
(337) 777-7777 Hablamos Español
No Win - No Fee AVAILABLE 24/7

Do I Qualify as a Seaman?

Put 350 Years of Experience in Your Corner GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION
An Award Winning
Team in Your Corner
Attorney David Laborde | Attorney Digger Earles
  1. Home
  2. FAQs
  3. Do I Qualify as a Seaman?
On This Page
  1. How the Jones Act May Apply to You
  2. Proving That You Work on a Vessel
  3. When an Employer is Liable for a Seaman’s Injury
  4. Call Now to Work with Our Attorneys
Contact Us Today

Get The Help
You Need

I NEED HELP NOW

Your personal injury lawyer can help you calculate your recoverable damages, which may include:

  • Medical Bills
  • Income Loss
  • Property Damage
  • Pain & Suffering
  • Emotional Distress
  • Lasting Disfigurement
Do I Qualify as a Seaman?

You probably qualify as a seaman if you meet certain criteria specified in the Jones Act, which governs situations where maritime workers are injured on the job. A few of those criteria include actually working on a vessel, ship, or another covered type of seacraft and providing services to a single specific ship.

If you are classified as a seaman, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your work-related injury and related damages. A lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify as a seaman and are eligible for benefits under the Jones Act. This can take a lot of guesswork and research out of the equation so that you can focus on getting better and back to work.

How the Jones Act May Apply to You

An important law for every maritime worker is the Jones Act, 46 U.S. Code §30104. This law provides various rights to seamen who are hurt on the job. Under the Jones Act, you can bring a claim against your employer if you were injured at work due to your employer’s carelessness. In this claim, you can recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

One of the first steps is proving that you qualify as a seaman under the law. Only seamen are eligible to bring a claim under the statute. A seaman is someone who works on a vessel and is part of supporting the vessel’s mission or work.

This means you must work on the vessel for at least 30% of your duties. Many different job duties meet this standard. A few examples of job descriptions that commonly qualify as a seaman include:

  • General crewmen
  • Engineers
  • Fishermen
  • Ship officers
  • Deckhands

Proving That You Work on a Vessel

There are a few factors to consider regarding the vessel requirement of the Jones Act. Not everyone who works in a shipyard works on a vessel. Types of vessels covered under the act include:

  • Drilling platforms
  • Floating cleaning barges
  • Production storage and offloading units
  • Semi-submersible drilling platforms

In addition to proving that you work on a vessel, you must also prove the vessel is “in navigation.” This means the vessel is:

  • Afloat
  • In operation
  • Has the ability to move; and
  • Is on navigable waters

The vessel does not have to be moving or at sea for you to be classified as a seaman. The vessel must simply have the ability to move. A vessel can be tied up at a dock or mooring and still meet the four criteria of this definition, but if the vessel is at a dry dock and on blocks out of the water, it is not considered a vessel, so you will probably not be classified as a seaman.

When an Employer is Liable for a Seaman’s Injury

A maritime occupation is one of the most dangerous types of work. Workers are faced with countless dangers and risky situations daily. This is true even if the vessel is as safe as possible.

Maritime employers are required to follow rules to make sure the workplace is as safe as it can be. Unfortunately, some of them cut corners, fail to keep a close eye on each vessel, or drop the ball.

Under the Jones Act, an employer can be held liable for your injuries if you can show it did not provide you with a reasonably safe work environment and that you were injured because of the employer’s failure. A few examples of situations where an employer may be liable for a resulting injury include:

  • Hiring employees without proper training
  • Lack of proper training
  • Forklift accidents
  • Lack of adequate lighting
  • Lack of safety policies
  • Poor enforcement of safety rules
  • Falling, tripping, or slipping
  • Lack of proper safety equipment
  • Unsafe driving speeds
  • Improper handling of dangerous chemicals
  • A vessel that is not seaworthy

Statute of Limitations

Time may be running out on your claim, so don’t wait. You have only three years after your injury to bring a lawsuit against your employer under the Jones Act, according to 46 U.S. Code §30106.

Call Now to Work with Our Attorneys

If you want to learn more about whether you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act and are eligible for compensation, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers now. You can learn more about your legal rights and how we may be able to help you during a free consultation. Dial (337) 777-7777 now to get started.

Why We Are

The Best Choice For You

Over 1,000+ 5-Star Google Reviews Across Our Locations
Over $1 Billion Recovered For Our Clients
An Award-Winning Team in Your Corner
You Get the Full Team on Your Case, Including David & Digger
Communication with You is a Top Priority
We Give Back to Our Communities

No Fee Unless We Win Your Case

Available 24 hours a day • 7 days a week
GET YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION
Jones Act FAQ:
Can I File a Jones Act Claim Against a Ship Owner? Can I File a Jones Act Claim Against a Ship Owner?

In general, the Jones Act lets seamen file liability-based claims against their employers. Your options for compensation after a maritime injury may include: A Jones Act claim against a

What is a Jones Act Vessel? What is a Jones Act Vessel?

According to 1 U.S.C. §1, a “vessel” is any form of watercraft or artificial structure that is used or can be used for transportation on water. A Jones Act vessel may be a

Do I Have to See the Company Doctor for a Jones Act Claim? Do I Have to See the Company Doctor for a Jones Act Claim?

If you suffered a workplace maritime injury, you do not have to see the company doctor for a Jones Act claim. You may need to consult the company doctor if your accident happens at sea and they are

Contact Us Form
CONTACT US TODAY NO WIN, NO FEE GUARANTEE
Name(Required)
Name(Required)
Untitled
Untitled

FAQ Categories
  • Accidents in Intersection
  • Bicycle Accident
  • Car Accidents
  • Defective Product
  • Dog Bite
  • Head Injury
  • Hurricane Damage
  • Jones Act
  • Knee Injury
  • Maritime Injury
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Mesothelioma
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Neck Injury
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Rear End Collisions
  • Rideshare Accidents
  • Robocalling
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Slip and Fall Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Truck Accidents
  • Whiplash Injury
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Wrongful Death
  • Zantac

 

Frequently Asked Questions
Drunk Driving Causes Deadly Crashes on I-10 in Louisiana Drunk Driving Causes Deadly Crashes on I-10 in Louisiana
Types of Nerve Damage Caused by Car Accidents Types of Nerve Damage Caused by Car Accidents
What if My Car Accident Claim was Denied by USAgencies Insurance? What if My Car Accident Claim was Denied by USAgencies Insurance?
Find Yourself a Passionate Lawyer Now!
  • Thibodaux Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Catahoula Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Duson Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Mandeville Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Saint Martinville Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Texas Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Gretna Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Harvey Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Chalmette Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Chataignier Personal Injury Lawyer
How can we help you

How We Can Help You

Let our injury attorneys help you maximize the compensation you deserve to turn your life back around.


Contact us today if you want to tell us about your accident. We have someone available to discuss your situation at all times of the day.

Contact Us

(337) 777-7777

FREE Case Evaluation

No Win - No Fee
Name(Required)
Name(Required)
Email Opt In
SMS Opt in

Contact Us

(337) 777-7777

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Lafayette
1901 Kaliste Saloom Rd,
Lafayette, LA 70508

Phone : (337) 777-7777

Alexandria
100 Versailles Blvd, Suite A,
Alexandria, LA 71303

Phone : (318) 777-7777

Marksville
306 North Washington Street, Suite A,
Marksville, LA 71351

Phone : (318) 310-8922

New Iberia
230 W. Main Street,
New Iberia, LA 70560

Phone : (337)-547-2777

Lake Charles
530 E College St,
Lake Charles, LA 70605

Phone : (337) 612-6909

New Orleans
821 Baronne St, Suite D,
New Orleans, LA 70113

Phone : (504) 777-7777

Baton Rouge
660 St Ferdinand St,
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Phone : (225) 777-7777

Practice Areas

  • Bicycle Accident
  • Car Accident
  • Dangerous Drugs
  • Dog Bite
  • Maritime Injury
  • Mass Torts
  • Motorcycle Accident
  • Pedestrian Accident
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Toxic Torts
  • Truck Accident
  • Slip and Fall
  • Wrongful Death

About Links

  • Our Attorneys
  • Verdicts and Settlements
  • Community
  • Testimonials
  • Scholarships

Leave a Review

  • LAFAYETTE
  • ALEXANDRIA
  • MARKSVILLE
  • NEW ORLEANS
  • NEW IBERIA
  • LAKE CHARLES
  • BATON ROUGE

Copyright © Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers 2025.
All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer / Privacy Policy / Sitemap

Hennessey-Digital-Badge