Calculator Methodology

How the Calculator Works

Our settlement calculator uses a multi-variable algorithmic model to generate estimated settlement ranges. The model considers four primary inputs provided by the user: injury type, maritime employer category, total medical expenses, and projected lost wages. An optional maintenance and cure audit adds additional context.

The calculator applies weighted multipliers to these inputs to produce a low, mid, and high estimate. These multipliers are not derived from any specific jury verdict or settlement. They are modeled based on general patterns observed in publicly available maritime case outcome data, legal literature, and industry analysis of Jones Act claims.

Variable Weighting

The model assigns different base multipliers to injury categories. More severe injuries (e.g., spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries) carry higher multipliers than less severe injuries (e.g., soft tissue back injuries), reflecting the general pattern that more severe injuries tend to result in higher recoveries across maritime cases.

Employer type is also factored in. Historically, certain employer categories — particularly offshore oil and gas operations — have been associated with higher average case values in Gulf Coast jurisdictions. This reflects general industry trends, not any guarantee about a specific employer or case.

Public Data Sources

Our model is informed by publicly available data from the following sources. These agencies provide incident, safety, and occupational data — they do not validate or endorse our calculator or its outputs:

• BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement): Offshore incident reports and safety enforcement data for the Outer Continental Shelf.
• USCG (United States Coast Guard): Marine casualty and incident investigation reports.
• NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): Occupational injury and fatality data for commercial fishing and maritime industries.
• Published case data: Publicly reported verdicts and settlements from federal and state courts in Gulf Coast jurisdictions. These are used as general reference points, not as direct inputs to the calculator algorithm.

Legal Framework & Editorial Review

The legal explanations on this site are grounded in the governing statutes and controlling case law, and are fact-checked against primary sources:

• The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) and the three-year maritime-tort limitations period (46 U.S.C. § 30106).
• Maintenance and cure and punitive exposure under general maritime law, per Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend, 557 U.S. 404 (2009).
• Seaman status under Chandris, Inc. v. Latsis, 515 U.S. 347 (1995), and the Jones Act negligence standard under Rogers v. Missouri Pacific R.R., 352 U.S. 500 (1957).

For our full sourcing rules, update cadence, corrections policy, and legal-review process, see our editorial standards.

Limitations

This calculator has significant limitations that you should understand:

• Not case-specific: The calculator does not know the facts of your case, the strength of your evidence, comparative fault, or the specific laws that apply to your situation.
• Not legal analysis: Determining the value of a maritime injury claim requires legal expertise, case investigation, medical evaluation, and knowledge of applicable law. A calculator cannot replicate this.
• Algorithmic, not empirical: The multipliers used are modeled estimates, not statistically derived from a controlled dataset of case outcomes. They should be treated as rough directional indicators, not predictions.
• No guarantee: Past case outcomes do not predict future results. Every case is different.

Who We Are

Jones Act Calculator is an independent informational website. We are not a law firm, not a lawyer referral service, and not a government agency. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed maritime attorney in your jurisdiction.