What Factors Impact Jones Act Lawsuit Settlements?

Factors impacting your Jones Act lawsuit settlement may include the costs of your medical bills, the amount of time you need off work, and the extent of the pain and suffering you experience. 

A New Orleans Jones Act lawyer can explain the factors that influence the level of compensation you receive through a settlement or lawsuit. Your attorney will also need to prove that you qualify for compensation before you get the money you need to move forward.

Factors that Impact Jones Act Lawsuit Settlements in Louisiana 

Several factors will contribute to the amount of compensation you receive through a settlement or lawsuit filed under the Jones Act. Generally, your financial award will depend on the losses that you sustained while working as a seaman on a boat, ship, or another vessel. 

Therefore, any of the following factors may affect the final compensation available to you:

The Costs of Your Healthcare 

A Jones Act settlement may cover the costs of your current and future medical expenses. Treatment costs vary considerably depending on the injuries you sustained. For example, you may face far higher costs for treatment of a spinal cord injury (SCI) than you would for a cut sustained on the job. 

A New Orleans maritime injury lawyer can track all these losses, including the costs of your:

• Emergency treatment and transport to a medical facility 
• Medical assessments and procedures 
• Physical therapy, medications, and rehabilitative care

The final costs of your healthcare treatments will impact the money you receive through the Jones Act.

The Time You Took Off Work

Many people need time off work to recover from a maritime injury. The amount of time you need off and your average pay will influence your final settlement or the money awarded through a lawsuit.

A New Orleans personal injury lawyer can calculate the value of your lost wages. You may also receive compensation for your lost earning potential if your accident resulted in a disabling condition. 

The exact amount of money available for diminished earning potential will depend on your previous wages and the potential amount of money you could have earned if you had never experienced an injury. 

The Non-Economic Effects of Your Accident

Finally, the non-economic repercussions of an accident represent a factor that impacts Jones Act lawsuit settlements. After an accident, you may experience pain that makes it challenging to go about your daily life, emotional anguish, and mental suffering. 

An attorney can determine a fair monetary value for these non-economic damages and include them in your claim, influencing the final amount of compensation that you receive. 

Getting Legal Help May Impact Your Compensation

You can influence the compensation you receive after a maritime injury by choosing to get professional help with your claim. Hiring an attorney can ensure you get the maximum available amount of compensation for your losses. 

A legal professional will know exactly what compensation you qualify to receive and can collect proper documentation to establish the extent of your losses. Your lawyer can also push back on subpar offers, protecting you if the liable party tries to downplay your losses. 

Moving Quickly May Impact Your Jones Act Claim

You can improve your chances of getting fair compensation after a maritime injury by immediately contacting a lawyer for help. Reaching out to a legal professional right away means the law firm can collect evidence before it disappears.

Having more evidence available can strengthen your Jones Act claim and impact the compensation you receive. Additionally, working with a lawyer immediately can help you avoid mistakes that could damage your case. 

You Have Limited Time to File a Jones Act Claim

The Jones Act does not give you unlimited time to seek compensation for your losses. Instead, most seamen only have around three years to file a claim after an accident. Therefore, it’s essential that you begin the legal process promptly. 

If you wait too long, the legal system will dismiss your request for compensation. You can learn more about the deadlines for your claim with your attorney. 

Should You Settle Your Jones Act Claim or File a Lawsuit?

In many cases, seamen choose to settle a Jones Act claim out of court to secure compensation. Settling out of court may allow you to secure compensation more quickly while avoiding court fees. 

However, the responsible party may refuse to negotiate fairly. In this situation, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit to get the compensation that you need. The same factors will impact the compensation you receive if you settle or file a lawsuit. 

Talk to Us About Your Jones Act Lawsuit or Settlement

Our team at Scott Vicknair Law can explain what factors impact Jones Act lawsuit settlements in Louisiana. We can help you build a claim after a maritime injury, and we draw on our decades of combined experience to personalize the services we provide. 

You can take charge by calling or completing our online contact form.