By Treven Pyles on January 15th, 2026 in Jones Act
Many myths about Jones Act claims discourage seamen from filing compensation claims after being exposed to toxic chemicals and developing cancer or chronic illness. These misconceptions prevent injured maritime workers from getting the justice they deserve and the financial assistance they need.
Being aware of the legal realities will help you make informed decisions about your Jones Act rights.
| Myth | Fact |
| It's too late to file a Jones Act claim | You can file claims even if your illness appeared years after leaving maritime work |
| Proving exposure is impossible | Courts accept medical records, expert testimony, and occupational evidence to establish causation |
| You need a blood test to prove exposure | Employment history and medical diagnosis can support claims without blood testing |
| Long-latency diseases aren't covered | The Jones Act recognizes illnesses that appear long after an offshore career ends |
In Jones Act cases involving toxic exposure caused by PFAS, or asbestos, many health conditions don't appear immediately after exposure. Exposure to these chemicals can lead to an illness that isn't diagnosed for years or even decades afterwards. People whose conditions manifest long after their exposure still have the opportunity to file a claim.
The Jones Act recognizes that workers can't be expected to file claims before they know they are sick or understand the cause of their illness. This is particularly relevant for seamen whose cancers or chronic conditions may not develop until years after exposure to toxic chemicals. In case you recently discovered that workplace exposure caused cancer, you may still be able to pursue a Jones Act claim.
A Jones Act case involving PFAS-related illnesses uses the same toxic tort framework that has been applied to long-standing toxic exposure cases like asbestos. Health outcomes are linked to exposure through medical records, expert testimony, and epidemiological studies.
The Jones Act permits claimants to establish occupational exposure without demonstrating absolute scientific certainty. Providing credible evidence of reasonable medical causation is sufficient. A maritime worker can demonstrate, however slight, that the employer's negligence contributed to the disease, with detailed documentation, including a medical diagnosis consistent with PFAS-related conditions and expert testimony linking workplace exposure to the illness.
Although blood tests for PFAS can strengthen a Jones Act claim, they aren't required to prove workplace exposure or causation. Various types of evidence can be accepted under the Jones Act, including employment records showing AFFF handling, vessel logs demonstrating that PFAS-containing products were present on board, medical diagnoses demonstrating PFAS exposure, and witness testimony.
Despite the absence of blood test results, a well-documented employment history demonstrating regular contact with AFFF can prove negligence. Some seamen who handled aqueous film-forming foam throughout their maritime careers but never underwent PFAS testing now suffer from related health issues.
Jones Act claims can also be filed for diseases that develop long after exposure, including cancers and chronic diseases. Legal mechanisms similar to those used in asbestos and other toxic tort lawsuits can be used to claim long-latency diseases under maritime law. Bodies of scientific research tie PFAS exposure to specific health risks, including kidney, testicular, liver, thyroid, and prostate cancer, which experts utilize to establish causation in court.
Even if PFAS-related illness appears long after your maritime career ended, you may still pursue compensation. The Jones Act allows seamen who develop qualifying conditions to seek recovery for their injuries, regardless of how much time has passed since their last contact with AFFF.
Seamen exposed to AFFF who developed PFAS-related illnesses deserve Jones Act compensation since their employers failed to provide adequate protection or warning. Even though PFAS exposure is linked to serious health problems, many maritime employers fail to implement safety measures or inform their employees. Employers can be held liable for occupational diseases resulting from negligence even after many years have passed.
We have been representing workers in toxic exposure cases for over 35 years at Environmental Litigation Group. You may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act if you developed cancer from PFAS exposure during your maritime work, whether you're still employed or have since left the industry. If you would like us to assist you with your claim, we will need your record of employment as well as your medical records.