Jones Act Title 46 Shipping

The Jones Act provides several different rights of recovery for injured seaman and their families. In addition to the causes of action available under the Act, the Jones Act also provides for a wrongful death action, limits liability and waives the sovereign immunity of the United States under certain circumstances. Our Lafayette Jones Act lawyers can explain the nuances of this law and how it may affect your case.

Chapter 303 of the Jones Act is also known as the "Death on the High Seas Act." This chapter creates a wrongful death cause of action that can be brought by a personal representative of a deceased seaman.

For a surviving family member to recover, the seaman's death must have been caused by a "wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas." In this type of wrongful death action, a personal representative of the decedent files this claim against the person or vessel responsible for the seaman's death. Our Jones Act attorneys can guide Lafayette residents and others through this process.

Under Chapter 303, this action can only be brought for the exclusive benefit of a decedent's spouse, parent, child or a dependent relative. The surviving family members are entitled to recover "fair compensation for the pecuniary loss" sustained by the surviving family members. This compensation may cover the family member's loss of companionship, pain and suffering and the loss of the decedent's future earnings.

An experienced Lafayette Jones Act attorney can help you successfully file a claim under Chapter 303. If your family has questions about the Death on the High Seas Act, our attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux can help you understand your legal rights. To schedule a free consultation with a Jones Act lawyer in the Lafayette area, contact Broussard, David & Moroux at 888-337-2323 (toll-free) or 337-233-2323.