Texas Jones Act Lawyer
Nationally Recognized
and Award Winning Lawyers Since 2014
5.0 Google Rating
with over 900+ Reviews
Over $300M
Won for Clients That Have Become Family
Content Reviewed By:
Date Last Updated: June 15, 2026
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects injured seamen. Unlike regular workers’ compensation, this law allows you to sue your employer if their negligence caused your injury. While navigating this century-old legislation can be complex, Shamieh Law is here to support you and your family during this difficult time and handle your case from start to resolution.
If you were injured while working on a boat, barge, or offshore rig, we’re here to help and ready when you need us. For a free consultation with our Texas Jones Act lawyers, call 469-813-7332 or contact us online. We’ll explain your rights and discuss your legal options to pursue compensation.
Why Choose Our Texas Jones Act Accident Attorneys
Choosing an experienced legal team for your Texas maritime injury claim can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Shamieh Law has the skill and dedication needed to protect your rights and future. Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- In-depth maritime injury law experience: Shamieh Law has extensive experience navigating the highly specific federal regulations of the Jones Act.
- Detailed offshore investigations: We investigate offshore accidents and secure critical vessel logs, maintenance records, and safety data.
- Insurance negotiations: We focus on winning with awareness by handling insurance adjusters professionally and negotiating fair settlements with the dignity and respect the situation deserves.
- Proven trial readiness: We prepare every case for the courtroom and have the resources to take complex Jones Act claims to trial.
- Focus on service: We take pride in helping people, whether it’s assisting them with accessing medical care or providing comprehensive legal support.
Common Examples of Jones Act Cases We Handle
Although maritime jobs are often risky, negligent employers can create hazardous conditions that make the work more dangerous. When these hazards lead to injuries, our legal team handles different types of Jones Act claims, including:
- Offshore and oil rig accidents: High-risk oil drilling operations can lead to serious equipment failures, fires, or explosions.
- Vessel and barge accidents: Collisions, structural failures, industrial accidents, and slip-and-falls frequently occur on commercial watercraft and may result in catastrophic injuries.
Unlike standard Texas personal injury claims, these maritime accidents fall under federal admiralty law rather than state tort law. This legal framework has unique filing deadlines, liability rules, and strict definitions of negligence.
Shamieh Law understands intricate federal legislation and how it can affect your claim. We’ll handle every step of your case and guide you through the legal process with compassion and clarity.
What Is the Jones Act?
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, is a vital federal statute that gives injured seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence. Because maritime work is uniquely dangerous, this law provides protections that standard workers’ compensation laws do not.
Key elements of the Jones Act include the following
- Applies to seamen: Seamen can take legal action against negligent employers who contributed to their injuries and resulting losses.
- Lower burden of proof: You only need to prove your employer’s negligence played any part in your injury, rather than being the proximate cause, as with other personal injury claims.
- Full compensation: You can recover compensation for all the ways your life is impacted by your injury, including financial losses and non-economic damages.
What Is Covered Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act covers specific maritime workers and qualifying vessels operating on navigable waters. To be fully covered, you must meet the legal definition of a seaman, and your accident must involve a vessel “in navigation,” meaning it was actively operational on waters used for interstate or international commerce. Vessels covered by the law include:
- Cargo ships
- Tankers
- Commercial ferries
- Fishing boats
- Tugboats, barges
- Charter boats
Under federal law, the watercraft does not need to be self-propelled, but it must be capable of moving across water and not permanently fixed to the ocean floor.
Who Qualifies as a Seaman Under the Jones Act?
Under the Jones Act, a qualifying seaman is someone who contributes to the vessel’s function or operation and spends at least 30% of their total travel or working time on a qualifying ship.
Common examples of qualifying workers include the following:
- Vessel-based workers: Captains, deckhands, engineers, cooks, and oilers who live or work directly aboard a watercraft
- Workers contributing to vessel function: Any employee whose daily tasks directly support the ship’s operation, maintenance, or specific mission at sea
- Employment connection to a vessel in navigation: Workers who spend at least 30% of their total employment time on an operational ship, barge, or floating rig in navigable waters
What if I Was Injured, But I Don’t Qualify Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act does not provide legal protection to every maritime worker. If you do not meet the strict criteria for seaman status, other federal maritime laws may still protect you.
Along with general maritime law, alternative legislation that may provide you with the right to financial compensation includes the following:
How the Jones Act Differs From Workers’ Compensation
Standard workers’ compensation operates on a state-by-state basis, providing fixed benefits regardless of who caused the accident. In contrast, the Jones Act is a distinct federal law designed to protect seamen who are injured by an employer’s negligence.
Key differences between the Jones Act and workers’ compensation include the following:
Ability to Sue Your Employer
State workers’ compensation bars you from suing your employer, even if they contributed to your injuries. The Jones Act allows you to file a lawsuit against them for unsafe working conditions.
Negligence Standard
You must prove your employer was negligent under the Jones Act. If employer negligence played even a small role in your injury, they may be liable. However, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system.
Comparative Negligence
The Jones Act follows a pure comparative negligence standard, allowing injured seamen to recover compensation even if they share fault. However, the amount awarded is proportionately reduced by the percentage of fault they share. Workers’ compensation benefits are available no matter who is responsible for the injury.
Broader Damages Available
State workers’ comp typically only covers basic medical bills and partial lost wages. The Jones Act allows you to recover full damages, including future lost earning capacity and pain and suffering.
I Fear Retaliation or Intimidation After Filing a Jones Act Claim. How Can Shamieh Law Help?
It is illegal for employers to retaliate, fire, or blacklist you for filing a Jones Act claim. Federal maritime law strictly protects your right to report injuries and seek compensation. If your employer uses intimidation, they can face legal penalties and additional lawsuits.
Shamieh Law can stand between you and your employer to shield you from unfair treatment. Our team will protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve so that you can focus entirely on your health and recovery.
How Jones Act Cases Differ From Other Maritime Claims
The Jones Act differs from other maritime claims due to its unique legal framework and worker protections. Important differences between Jones Act claims and other maritime cases include:
- Exclusively applies to seamen: The Jones Act applies strictly to qualifying seamen injured due to employer negligence. Other maritime claims, like the Longshore Act, cover land-based harbor workers through a no-fault system.
- State or federal court: While most maritime disputes must be filed in federal court, Jones Act claims may be filed in state court. Under the Saving to Suitors Clause, injured seamen possess the right to file their lawsuits in either state or federal court.
- The right to a jury trial: Under the Jones Act, injured seamen have the right to a jury trial, while a federal judge typically decides other maritime cases.
- Damages available: The Jones Act allows injured maritime workers to recover compensation for a wide range of losses, including non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Other maritime laws, such as the Death on the High Seas Act, do not permit recovery for non-economic damages.
Who May Be Liable in a Jones Act Injury Claim?
Navigating the aftermath of a maritime injury can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand who is legally responsible. The maritime industry relies on a complex network of companies, making it difficult to figure out where to turn for help.
Under the Jones Act, your employer is the party liable for workplace injuries caused by negligence. By bringing a Jones Act claim, you can hold a negligent employer accountable for your losses and suffering.
However, general maritime law can hold other parties liable for offshore injuries, including:
- The vessel owner
- Offshore oil companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Third-party contractors
While Jones Act claims are based on negligence, vessel unseaworthiness and maritime product liability claims are different and typically fall under strict liability. Our offshore injury attorneys in Texas can assess your situation, identify who is liable, and determine if you can bring a Jones Act claim.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim for Compensation Under the Jones Act?
Under federal law, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a Jones Act claim. Waiting too long can permanently bar you from receiving the support you deserve.
However, exceptions exist. If your injury developed slowly over time, such as toxic exposure or repetitive trauma, the clock may start when you first discover the condition. Connect with our team for a free consultation to see what deadline may apply to your case.
How To File a Claim Under the Jones Act
Because maritime companies move quickly to minimize payouts, following a clear process can help protect your health, livelihood, and legal rights. Here are steps you can take after being injured offshore that may lead to a Jones Act claim:
- Seek immediate medical care: Get examined as soon as possible to document your injuries
- Report the accident: Notify your captain or supervisor right away to initiate the official maritime reporting process.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and anything that may have contributed to the accident.
- Gather witness information: Collect names and contact details from crewmates who saw the incident.
- Complete any official reports: Fill out the employer’s required incident reports.
- Consult an attorney: Contact an experienced seatime injury lawyer who understands complex federal laws.
Speak with a Jones Act attorney in Texas who can determine if your injury was caused by employer negligence and how you can move forward.
Contact a Texas Jones Act Lawyer Today
If you suffered an offshore injury or lost a loved one because an employer failed to maintain a safe work environment, Shamieh Law can help. Our Texas Jones Act lawyers provide compassionate support and legal advocacy to help you access the medical care you need and navigate the complex claims process.
Call 469-813-7332 or contact us online for a free consultation.
