The Jones Act is a federal law that allows injured seamen to sue their employer for negligence if the employer’s or a coworker’s carelessness contributed to the injury, offering broader protections than typical workers’ compensation.
Whether it applies depends on your status as a “seaman” who spends a significant portion of work time aboard a vessel in navigation. An attorney experienced in maritime law can evaluate your work history and job duties to determine if you qualify.
A Houston trial lawyer since 2009 — representing injured people and their families, and defending the accused in DWI and criminal cases. Jay is an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, a certified practitioner and instructor of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, and trained in forensic chromatography. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and an appointee to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission by Gov. Abbott in 2024.
Last reviewed July 2026 · This article is legal information, not legal advice. Read Jay’s full bio →