Houston Maritime Injury and Jones Act Blog

Compensation for Back, Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries

Seamen are regularly injured on the job.  Sometimes these injuries are minor and a full recovery is expected.  Other times an injury is serious and the seaman is not able to return to work in the same capacity.

There are various factors that can contribute to an accident on the vessel, barge, tug, towboat, platform or offshore rig.  When a maritime worker is involved in an accident, the result can be a serious back injury, neck injury or spinal cord injury.  These injuries have a range of symptoms and prompt medical treatment is essential to achieve the best possible recovery.

A back injury can include sciatica, a bulging or herniated disk or fractured vertebrae.  Spinal cord injuries are even more serious as these types of injuries frequently result in permanent disability, paralysis, quadriplegia or paraplegia.  A seaman is protected under the Jones Act and can be compensated for maritime injuries. 

If the vessel owner, operator, employer or co-workers caused the accident, the injured seaman may be able to recover damages.  In the situation where the vessel was unseaworthy at the time of the accident, the seaman is also eligible to file a Jones Act lawsuit.  Compensation may include pain and suffering, mental anguish and lost wages, both past and present.

The Willis Law Firm specializes in cases involving injured seamen and Jones Act claims.  For more information regarding the symptoms, treatment and possible compensation for back, neck and spinal cord injures, read our article, "Serious Injuries Caused by Working on a Vessel."

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