Guam Jones Act Lawyers — HellaHurt

Injured as a seaman or maritime worker in Guam's waters? The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) is a federal law — not a Guam territorial statute — that gives you the right to sue your employer for negligence. HellaHurt's attorneys handle Jones Act claims throughout Guam. Free case evaluation. No fees unless we win. Call (800) 671-5949.

What to Do After a Jones Act Injury

Seek immediate medical care: Go to Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) in Tamuning or Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) in Dededo. Medical records are critical evidence.
Report the injury to your employer: Notify your employer or vessel operator as soon as possible. Written notice protects your rights.
Document everything: Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any equipment involved. Collect names and contact information for all witnesses.
Do not sign anything: Do not sign any release, settlement agreement, or waiver without consulting an attorney first.
Watch the deadline: Jones Act claims must generally be filed within 3 years of the injury (46 U.S.C. § 30106). This is longer than Guam's standard 2-year rule — but don't wait.
Contact HellaHurt: Call (800) 671-5949 for a free case evaluation before speaking with any insurance adjuster or your employer's claims representative.

Jones Act Law: What Injured Seamen Need to Know

The Jones Act is federal law (46 U.S.C. § 30104), not a Guam territorial statute. The rules are materially different from ordinary Guam personal-injury law:

Statute of limitations: 3 years (46 U.S.C. § 30106) — longer than Guam's standard 2-year personal-injury deadline. Confirm with an attorney regardless.
Featherweight causation standard: Your employer's negligence needs only to have played the slightest part in causing the injury. This is a more claimant-favorable standard than ordinary Guam tort law. Source: Rogers v. Missouri Pacific R.R. Co., 352 U.S. 500 (1957).
No percentage-of-fault bar: Unlike Guam's modified comparative-negligence rule, there is no fault percentage that eliminates a Jones Act claim entirely. Comparative negligence can reduce a damages award proportionally, but cannot bar it.
Not a government tort claim: Jones Act suits are brought against the seaman's employer (typically a private maritime operator). The GovGuam administrative claim deadline generally does not apply.
Maintenance and cure: An injured seaman is generally entitled to basic living expenses and medical care from their employer regardless of fault, while they recover.

Compensation Available in Jones Act Cases

Medical expenses: All past and future treatment costs, including surgery, rehabilitation, and medication
Lost wages: Income lost while recovering, plus future earning capacity if your injuries are permanent
Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
Maintenance and cure: Daily living allowance and medical care from your employer, regardless of fault
Unseaworthiness damages: If the vessel was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose, additional damages may be available under the general maritime law unseaworthiness doctrine

Frequently Asked Questions — Jones Act Claims in Guam

How long do I have to file a Jones Act claim?

Jones Act claims must generally be filed within 3 years of the injury (46 U.S.C. § 30106) — longer than Guam's standard 2-year personal-injury deadline. Don't let a shorter deadline you've seen elsewhere on this site make you think you have less time than you do. Confirm your specific deadline with an attorney.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) is a federal law giving injured seamen the right to sue their employer for negligence. It applies to crew members of vessels operating in and around Guam's waters, not to shore-based accidents.

Do I need to prove my employer was 100% at fault?

No. Jones Act claims use a "featherweight" causation standard — your employer's negligence needs only to have played the slightest part in causing the injury. There is no percentage-of-fault bar that eliminates the claim entirely, unlike Guam's ordinary tort rule.

What is maintenance and cure?

Maintenance and cure is a separate, no-fault right alongside a Jones Act negligence claim. Your employer must pay basic living expenses and medical care while you recover, regardless of fault. Refusing to pay maintenance and cure can itself be a basis for additional damages.

How much does it cost to hire a Jones Act lawyer?

HellaHurt works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs, no hourly fees, no out-of-pocket expenses.

Why Choose HellaHurt for Your Jones Act Case?

Licensed Guam attorney: Morgan D. Ross (CA Bar #270650) is licensed in both California and Guam and handles Jones Act and maritime claims throughout the island
Federal claim expertise: Experienced in Jones Act, Defense Base Act, FTCA, and standard Guam personal injury claims
Free AI-powered case evaluation: Get answers in minutes with our free AI Case Check
No fees unless we win: Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation

Free Case Evaluation

Jones Act claims are time-sensitive and fact-specific. The sooner you contact HellaHurt, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence.