You didn’t get hurt messing around.
You got hurt doing your job—doing exactly what the captain told you to do.
Maybe it was on a towboat on the Mississippi River. Maybe it was a barge job in the Industrial Canal. Maybe it was a crew boat run out in the Gulf.
Now you’re hurt. And instead of support, you’re getting blamed.
What Captain Negligence Can Look Like on a Barge or Vessel
Captain negligence doesn’t always mean recklessness. Often it involves rushed decisions, unsafe orders, or ignoring conditions.
- Unsafe or rushed work orders
- Ignoring weather or river conditions
- Bad gangway setup or unsafe transfers
- Understaffing and fatigue
- Ignoring basic safety rules
Your Rights as a Jones Act Seaman
If you qualify as a Jones Act seaman, federal law gives you protections different from workers’ compensation.
- The right to pursue claims for employer or captain negligence
- The right to maintenance and cure (medical care and living expenses)
- The right to proper medical treatment
Injuries Tied to Captain Decisions
- Falls on gangways or during vessel transfers
- Line handling injuries
- Crush injuries between barges or vessels
- Overexertion and lifting injuries
- Struck-by injuries from shifting equipment
What to Do If You Were Injured Following the Captain’s Orders
- Report the injury immediately
- Document unsafe conditions if possible
- Get medical care right away
- Avoid signing statements that blame you
- Speak with a New Orleans Jones Act lawyer before accepting any settlement
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a case if I was following orders? Possibly. Unsafe orders can support a Jones Act claim.
What if I were partly at fault? You may still have rights under maritime law.
Can I be fired for reporting a maritime injury? Retaliation concerns depend on the facts.
Are there time limits? Many Jones Act cases involve a three-year deadline.
Talk to a New Orleans Jones Act Lawyer at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured under a captain’s orders near New Orleans, please contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Jones Act lawyer in New Orleans, LA, today. We have four convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Metairie, and Lafayette.
We proudly serve East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish, Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, and their surrounding areas:
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Baton Rouge Office
404 Europe St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 263-4787
Hours: 24/7
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Lafayette Office
1318 Camellia Blvd Suite 206, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 473-2991
Hours: 24/7
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Metairie Office
111 Veterans Memorial Blvd # 255, Metairie, LA 70005
(888) 601-0127
Hours: 24/7
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
365 Canal St Suite 415, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 294-3804
Hours: 24/7