Q: Following an offshore injury, am I required to sign anything before I receive medical treatment or maintenance payments?

Posted by: rzehl
May 13, 2008
Topic: Maritime & Jones Act FAQ

A: No, you are not required to sign anything under the Jones Act in order to receive benefits. In truth, following an injury, it is never a good idea to sign paperwork before speaking with a Jones Act attorney. In some cases, maritime employers have even tried to force their employees into signing papers before receiving benefits. This practice serves only to protect the employer. Any number of clauses or waivers could be hidden within the papers you are given to sign. These could ultimately keep you from recovering the damage amounts that you are entitled to. If your employer insists on you signing paperwork in order to receive benefits, it is imperative that you allow an independent maritime lawyer to review those papers first to make sure that you are not signing away any valuable legal rights.

Web Resources

Houston Jones Act Attorney
Houston Car Accident Attorney
U.S. Courts
United States Chamber of Commerce
FirstGov
Library of Congress
Yahoo!Legal Blog Directory