Jones Act Demanding accountability from those at fault

Jones Act Attorney in Mississippi

Seeking Justice for Injured Maritime Workers & Their Families

Offshore work is some of the most dangerous labor in the country. From working long hours on unpredictable waters to using heavy machinery in high-risk environments, maritime workers put everything on the line to do their jobs. When something goes wrong, they deserve protection—and that’s exactly what the Jones Act is designed to provide. If you were injured while working aboard a vessel, a Mississippi Jones Act attorney from our firm can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you’re owed. We’re proud to represent offshore workers, seamen, and their families across the Gulf Coast.

At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we will stand beside you during this challenging time, offering legal guidance and support every step of the way. With over 45 years of courtroom success and the unique judicial insight of founding attorney, Mark Sledge, we know how to build meticulous cases and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (601) 768-2165 for a free consultation.

What Is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act, part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal law that gives injured seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence after a work-related injury. Unlike traditional workers’ compensation laws, the Jones Act allows maritime workers to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit, something most land-based workers cannot do.

To qualify under the Jones Act, the injury must occur in the course of employment on a navigable vessel, and you must meet the legal definition of a seaman. This law is unique to maritime work and is one of the most powerful tools injured offshore workers have to hold negligent employers accountable.

Who Qualifies for a Jones Act Claim?

Not every maritime worker is covered by the Jones Act, but many are. You may be eligible if:

You work on a ship, barge, tugboat, oil rig, dredge, or fishing vessel
The vessel is in navigation, meaning it’s afloat, operable, and capable of movement on navigable waters
You spend at least 30% of your working time on the vessel
You were injured while performing your job duties

Deckhands, engineers, cooks, divers, roustabouts, and other crew members often qualify under this law. If you're unsure about your status, a Mississippi Jones Act lawyer from our firm can help you determine your eligibility. Contact us today for a completely free, no-obligation consultation.

Proving Negligence in a Jones Act Case

One of the most important features of a Jones Act claim is that you must prove that your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury. The standard of proof is lower than in typical personal injury cases, but it still requires a careful investigation.

Examples of negligence under the Jones Act include:

Failing to provide a safe working environment
Inadequate training or supervision
Slippery or obstructed decks
Defective equipment or lack of maintenance
Unsafe work procedures or insufficient staffing

Employers are also required to ensure that the vessel itself is seaworthy. If unsafe conditions on board contributed to your injury, you may also have a separate unseaworthiness claim in addition to your Jones Act case.

What Compensation Can You Recover Under the Jones Act?

A successful Jones Act claim can result in substantial compensation. Depending on your injuries and how they’ve affected your life, you may be able to recover:

Medical expenses (including future treatment)
Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Disfigurement or disability damages
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life

Unlike workers’ comp, the Jones Act allows for full personal injury damages, including non-economic losses like pain and suffering. This makes it a critical option for seriously injured seamen and their families.

What Is Maintenance & Cure?

If you're a seaman injured on the job, you're entitled to something called “maintenance and cure,” regardless of who was at fault for your injury. This is a centuries-old maritime law principle that ensures injured seamen receive basic support while they recover.

Maintenance refers to your daily living expenses—things like rent, food, and utilities—while you're unable to work.
Cure covers your medical care, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).

This benefit is separate from a Jones Act negligence claim. You’re entitled to maintenance and cure even if no one else caused your injury, as long as it happened during the course of your employment on a vessel.

What if My Employer Refuses to Pay?

Unfortunately, many maritime employers try to delay, reduce, or outright deny maintenance and cure payments, sometimes without any legal justification. Some will even pressure injured workers to return to the job before they’re ready or send them to company doctors who don’t have their best interests at heart.

When employers fail to meet their maintenance and cure obligations, it’s not just wrong—it may be grounds for additional compensation. Courts can award punitive damages if an employer willfully withholds payments or acts in bad faith.

How the Jones Act Differs from the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

If you don’t qualify as a “seaman” under the Jones Act, you may still be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This law covers maritime workers who aren’t assigned to vessels but work near or on the water, like dockworkers, shipbuilders, and longshoremen.

Jones Act	LHWCA
Covers seamen who work on vessels in navigation	Covers maritime workers who work on docks, shipyards, or near navigable water
Allows you to sue your employer for negligence	Operates like a no-fault workers' comp system
Compensation includes pain and suffering	Compensation is limited to wage loss and medical benefits
Requires proof of employer negligence	No need to prove fault

How We Navigate Jones Act Claims

The Jones Act is a complex legal statute and requires the experience and skill of a knowledgeable maritime attorney. At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we take the time to thoroughly investigate these claims, gather applicable evidence, and establish employer negligence. Our approach includes analyzing vessel logs and accident reports, interviewing witnesses, reviewing company safety reports, and working with industry experts. By using advanced technology and our extensive resources, we recreate accident scenarios to pinpoint failures and demonstrate negligence.

We handle all communication with your employer, their insurance provider, and other involved parties so that you can focus on healing.

$44,500,000 Offshore Oil Rig Injury
$10,000,000 Accident on Drilling Ship
$8,000,000 18-Wheeler Accident

From Circuit Court Judge to Personal Injury Advocate Driven to Make a Real Difference for You

For over 15 years, Mark has actively represented plaintiffs in major mass tort cases, including breast implant and phen-phen litigation, leading successful drug litigation such as Parlodel, Duract, and Stadol, securing strong recoveries for his clients. From Circuit Court Judge to Personal Injury Advocate — Driven to Make a Real Difference for You

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Let a Mississippi Jones Act Attorney Help You Navigate What Comes Next

Jones Act cases are complex, time-sensitive, and often aggressively defended by maritime employers and insurance companies. You need someone in your corner who knows how this law works, as well as what your claim is truly worth. At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we’ve helped injured seamen and maritime workers across Mississippi and the Gulf Coast recover the compensation they need to heal and move forward. From offshore oil rig accidents to tugboat injuries and fishing vessel claims, we have the experience to fight for you.

Maritime Workers Deserve Strong Representation. We’re here to help you recover, rebuild, and take back control of your future.

Call today at (601) 768-2165 to speak with a Jones Act lawyer in Mississippi. You won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.

FAQ

Absolutely. Bus accident cases often involve aggressive defense teams and complex insurance disputes. Having an experienced Ridgeland bus accident attorney like Mark Sledge ensures your case is handled properly from day one, increasing your chances of full compensation.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future care needs. At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we work with medical and financial experts to fully evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries.
In Mississippi, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government agency operates the bus, shorter notice periods may apply. Contacting an attorney quickly helps protect your rights and ensures critical evidence is preserved.

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We don’t back down—and neither should you

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