Maritime employees face unique risks while working on the water, and some of these risks can lead to serious injuries. When injuries happen, maritime workers often rely on disability benefits to help them cover expenses and support their families. If you’re a maritime worker in Tennessee, it’s important to know what benefits you may be entitled to under both maritime and state law.
Maritime law and disability benefits
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects maritime workers who get injured while working on vessels. This law allows injured workers to file lawsuits against their employers for compensation, including disability benefits. The compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.
In addition to the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides disability benefits for workers who get hurt while working in maritime environments, even if they don’t work on a ship. This can include people working on docks or harbors.
Tennessee law and disability benefits for maritime workers
While maritime laws like the Jones Act and LHWCA offer protection at the federal level, Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws only apply to injuries that happen on land, not on water. If you work in Tennessee but your injury occurs on a ship or a dock, the state workers’ compensation laws won’t apply.
Claiming disability benefits under maritime law
If you are a maritime worker who becomes disabled because of an injury, you can apply for benefits under the Jones Act or the LHWCA. The process includes documenting the injury and seeking medical care immediately. Once you have documentation, you can file a claim for disability benefits.
Maritime workers in Tennessee have strong protection under maritime law, and they can access disability benefits through federal programs like the Jones Act and LHWCA. If you are injured at work, it’s important to understand how these laws can help you during tough times.
