If you are a fisherman or a fisherwoman working in Anchorage, Alaska, you may be wondering how long you have to file a case under The Jones Act, if you get injured on the job. The Jones Act is a federal law that protects seamen and seawomen who are injured due to the negligence of their employer, the vessel owner or a fellow crew member. The Jones Act allows them to sue for damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
Do not wait to file
However, you cannot wait forever to file your case. The statute of limitations gives you three years in which to file your claim. A lawsuit under the Jones Act must be filed within 3 years of the date of the injury. This means that if you were injured on January 1, 2020, you have until January 1, 2023, to file your lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to recover any compensation.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the injury is not discovered right away or when the seaman or seawoman works on a government vessel. In these cases, the statute of limitations may be extended or shortened, depending on the situation.
Filing Jones Act claims
Filing a Jones Act claim can be a complex and challenging process. You should not try to handle it on your own or rely on your employer or their insurance company to protect your rights. Do not let your employer or their insurer take advantage of you or deny you the justice you deserve.