Tugboat Crew Member Injured in Accident

A crewman on a tugboat on the Intracoastal Waterway had to be airlifted after he suffered an injury on the tugboat.

The Coast Guard conducted a medical evaluation of the injured crewmen. The accident occurred about five miles off Rockport. The crewmember suffered undisclosed injuries, and required medical assistance. The Coast Guard launched rescue operations, including a helicopter rescue group. The man was hoisted onto the helicopter, and then transferred to a hospital. There is no information on the crewman’s condition.

Crewmembers on a tugboat may also qualify as Jones Act seamen. The Jones Act is a unique branch of maritime or admiralty law, that provides injured workers much more substantial compensation than provided by other types of maritime laws.

The only condition is that the worker must qualify as a seaman under the Act. This means that he must fulfill at least three essential criteria.He must be assigned to a vessel, the vessel must be in navigation, and the crewman must significantly contribute to the vessel’s mission or function.

Crewmembers, who are able to prove that they are seamen under the Jones Act may have access to a wide variety of privileges. A Jones Act seaman is eligible for maintenance and cure payments that help him with living and medical expenses while he or she is injured. Additionally, a seaman who believes that the injury was caused due to his employer’s negligence can file a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer.

If the injury was caused due to the unseaworthiness of the vessel, the seaman can file unseaworthiness lawsuit against the vessel owner.

A Jones Act lawsuit can result in substantial damages to a seaman. The Jones Act attorneys atSchechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers  represent workers who qualify as Jones Act seamen and are eligible for compensation under this branch of maritime law.