How does a crew member's own negligence impact their claim under the Jones Act?

Under the Jones Act, a crew member's own negligence can affect their compensation claim, but it does not disallow the claim entirely. If a crew member is found to be partially at fault for their injury, their benefits can be reduced proportionally to the degree of their own negligence. This principle aligns with comparative negligence, meaning that if the crew member was, for example, 20% responsible for the incident that led to their injuries, their compensation could be reduced by that percentage. This system ensures that while the employer is still held liable for a portion of the compensation, accountability is shared with the crew member regarding their actions. This is a significant distinction that highlights the balance between employee rights under the Jones Act and the responsibilities of the employees themselves.