Picture working on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The sun beats down relentlessly as you operate heavy machinery. Suddenly, a piece of equipment malfunctions. You're caught in its path and suffer a horrific workplace injury. What recourse do you have for recovery? How does Jones Act coverage for medical treatments work?
For offshore workers, the Jones Act serves as a crucial safety net when accidents like this occur. The federal law provides essential protections for maritime workers, ensuring proper medical care for injuries sustained on the job. Our Houston offshore injury lawyers can help you secure this compensation so you can move on with your life.
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Jones Act Coverage for Medical Treatments
When you're injured offshore, your first concern is getting the medical attention you need. The Jones Act recognizes this priority and provides comprehensive coverage for your treatment
- Emergency Care: From the moment you're injured, whether it's a fall on a slippery deck or an equipment-related accident, the Jones Act ensures you receive immediate medical attention. This could involve helicopter evacuation from your offshore location to the nearest hospital in Galveston.
- Ongoing Treatment: Your recovery doesn't end with emergency care. The Jones Act covers continued medical treatment up to maximum medical improvement (MMI), even if you have a pre-existing condition. Treatment may include specialist visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation. For instance, if you've suffered a back injury while working as a derrickman, you might require long-term physical therapy to regain your strength and mobility.
- Mental Health Services: Offshore accidents can leave lasting psychological scars. The Jones Act recognizes this and covers mental health treatment, including therapy and counseling, to help you cope with the trauma of your experience.
More Compensation You Can Receive Under the Jones Act
Beyond medical treatment, the Jones Act provides other types of compensation to help you and your family weather the storm of an offshore injury.
Lost Wages
If your injury keeps you from working, whether you're a crane operator in Jefferson County (Beaumont) or a subsea welder in the Gulf of Mexico, the Jones Act allows you to recover up to 100 percent of your lost wages. This includes not just your base salary, but also overtime, vacation pay, and healthcare benefits you would have earned.
Diminished Earning Capacity
Some injuries may impact your ability to return to your previous job or earn at the same level. For example, an oil rig worker who loses partial use of their hand might not be able to perform the same duties. The Jones Act allows you to recover compensation for this long-term impact on your earning potential.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous offshore job, the Jones Act can cover the cost of vocational rehabilitation. This could include job training or education to help you transition to a new career.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional toll of an offshore injury can be immense. The Jones Act allows you to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. This could apply to situations like a tankerman suffering chronic pain after a severe burn injury.
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The Role of a Houston Jones Act Lawyer
Filing a Jones Act claim can a complex and confusing process. You only have three years to file a case. This is where the compassionate lawyers at Terry & Thweatt can serve as your guide, championing your best interests.
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Case evaluation. An experienced offshore injury lawyer will assess the strength of your case, considering factors like the circumstances of your accident and the extent of your injuries.
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Evidence gathering. Your lawyer will collect crucial evidence to support your claim, which might include accident reports, witness statements, and medical records from specialized healthcare providers.
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Compensation negotiation. Our Jones Act lawyers are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and employers to ensure you receive fair compensation. We understand the tactics used to minimize payouts and can counter them effectively.
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Litigation. If a fair settlement can't be reached, your lawyer can represent you in court, presenting a compelling case to a judge or jury.
If you've been injured while working offshore, don't sail these choppy legal waters alone. The maritime injury lawyers from Terry & Thweatt can be your advocates, ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve. We negotiated a $985,000 setttlement for a dredge worker with a Jones Act claim after only a few depositions, underscoring our track record of success.
Exceptional Representation for Jones Act Injury Claims Near the Gulf of Mexico
If you were seriously injured in an oil rig accident in Houston or the nearby Permian Basin or Eagle Ford Shale, get the exceptional representation you deserve.
Contact our Houston oilfield injury attorney to request a free initial consultation by clicking the button above, and we’ll reach out soon to discuss your Jones Act claim. For immediate assistance, call 713-600-4710 right now!
