I was injured on an offshore rig when defective equipment failed. Diamondback got me $17,000 in just over a day. It kept my household running while my lawyer built the Jones Act case against the vessel owner. We ended up settling for far more than the first offer.
Jones Act Lawsuit Loans:
Get Cash Now,
While Your Case Wins
Injured seaman pursuing a Jones Act claim? You shouldn't have to choose between paying your bills and fighting your employer for the full compensation you're owed. Diamondback Funding provides risk-free pre-settlement funding — no credit check, no monthly payments, zero repayment if you lose.
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Understanding Your Options
What Is a Jones Act Lawsuit Loan?
A Jones Act lawsuit loan — also called maritime injury pre-settlement funding — is a financial tool that gives injured seamen access to money from their expected settlement before the case resolves. It is not a traditional loan.
Plain-language definition: You receive a cash advance today, secured against the settlement you expect to receive in the future. If you win your case, a portion of your settlement repays the advance plus a funding fee. If you lose your case, you owe nothing at all.
Maritime workers are not covered by traditional workers' compensation. Instead, the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104), part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, allows injured seamen to sue their employer directly for negligence or for operating an "unseaworthy" vessel. This gives maritime workers the right to recover full lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering — unlike standard workers' comp, which is fault-independent but pays only partial wage replacement and excludes pain and suffering entirely.
Approval is based entirely on the strength of your case — not your credit score, employment status, or assets. Anyone with a pending Jones Act or maritime negligence lawsuit and legal representation can apply.
How It Differs from a Traditional Loan
Unlike bank loans or personal lines of credit, Jones Act lawsuit loans carry no monthly payment obligation, no income verification, and no risk of damaging your credit if your case is lost. The funding is non-recourse — your personal assets are never at stake.
Simple & Transparent Process
From Application to Cash in 5 Steps
Apply Online
Complete our 2-minute form or call our team directly. Basic case information only at this stage.
Attorney Review
We contact your attorney to evaluate liability, injury severity, and estimated settlement value.
Fast Decision
Our underwriters assess your case and return a funding decision — typically within hours.
Clear Agreement
We present a transparent agreement with all fees and repayment terms — no hidden costs.
Funds Delivered
Money arrives via wire transfer or overnight check within 24–48 hours of signing.
No obligation. No credit check. Takes 2 minutes.
Free Funding Estimator
How Much Could You Receive?
Adjust the sliders below to get an instant estimate based on your case profile. All figures are illustrative — actual amounts depend on case evaluation.
Illustrative only. Actual advance amounts are determined after full case review with your attorney. Non-recourse: zero repayment if your case is lost.
Apply for My Actual Quote →Eligibility
Do You Qualify for Jones Act Funding?
Most maritime workers with an active Jones Act lawsuit and legal representation are eligible. Approval is based on your case — not your financial history.
Pending Jones Act Lawsuit
You must have an active Jones Act or maritime negligence lawsuit filed or in process against your employer.
Attorney Representation
You must be represented by a licensed maritime attorney. Your attorney participates in the review process at no cost to them.
Seaman Status
You must qualify as a "seaman" — spending a substantial portion of your work time on a vessel in navigable waters, contributing to its function.
Documented Injuries
Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment are required. Injury severity directly affects the funding amount you qualify for.
Eligible State
Diamondback Funding operates across most US states. Contact us to confirm availability in your specific jurisdiction.
Age 18 or Older
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and the named plaintiff in the Jones Act lawsuit.
Not sure if you qualify?
Call our team for a free, no-obligation eligibility review. We'll give you an honest answer in minutes.
Flexible Use of Funds
What Can You Use Jones Act Funding For?
There are no restrictions on how you use your pre-settlement funding. Once the cash advance hits your account, it is yours to allocate toward whatever pressing need matters most. Most injured seamen use it for a combination of medical costs and everyday living expenses.
The ability to cover immediate bills is precisely what allows injured maritime workers to avoid making a rushed, low-value settlement decision against a well-resourced vessel owner.
Hospital bills, surgery costs, and specialist consultations
Lost wages replacement while you are unable to return to maritime work during recovery
Rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and other household expenses
Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs for serious injuries like spinal damage or crush injuries
Transportation to medical appointments, childcare during recovery, and home care if needed
| Expense Type | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Hospital & surgical care | ✓ Yes |
| Specialist consultations | ✓ Yes |
| Physical & occupational therapy | ✓ Yes |
| Prescription medications | ✓ Yes |
| Lost wages / income gap | ✓ Yes |
| Rent, mortgage, utilities | ✓ Yes |
| Groceries & daily expenses | ✓ Yes |
| Transportation to appointments | ✓ Yes |
| Childcare during recovery | ✓ Yes |
| Home modifications if needed | ✓ Yes |
Why Choose Us
Not All Pre-Settlement Funding Companies Are Equal
Pre-settlement funding is an unregulated industry in many states. The wrong company can lock you into excessive fees and compound interest. Here is how Diamondback Funding compares.
| Feature | Diamondback Funding | Typical Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Credit check required | ✓ Never | ✓ Usually not |
| Monthly payments during case | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Repayment if you lose | ✓ Zero | ✓ Zero |
| Interest structure | ✓ Simple, flat fee | ✗ Often compounding |
| Transparent fee structure upfront | ✓ Always | ✗ Varies |
| Dedicated case manager | ✓ Yes | ✗ Rarely |
| Funding timeline | 24–48 hours | 3–7 days typical |
| Maximum advance | Up to $100,000 | Often capped lower |
Client Testimonials
Real Stories from Real Plaintiffs
A fall on an unseaworthy deck left me with a serious spinal injury. Between the medical bills and missing income, I was drowning. My attorney suggested Diamondback. The process was transparent — I knew exactly what I'd repay.
My employer's insurer tried to lowball me from day one. With Diamondback's funding, I didn't have to panic about rent. My attorney had the leverage to wait for a real offer. My final settlement was nearly triple the initial figure.
In-Depth Guide
Jones Act Lawsuit Loans: Everything You Need to Know
The Jones Act, formally part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, protects seamen injured due to their employer's negligence or because they were working on an unseaworthy vessel. Unlike traditional workers' compensation, which pays out regardless of fault but excludes pain and suffering, the Jones Act allows injured maritime workers to sue their employer directly and recover full damages — including past and future lost wages, medical expenses, decreased earning power, and pain and suffering.
Why Vessel Owners Fight Jones Act Claims Aggressively
Maritime employers and their insurers rarely pay out quickly. They frequently dispute everything from the cause of the accident to the extent of injuries, and some employers and vessel owners deliberately stall proceedings, betting that financial pressure will eventually force an injured seaman to accept less than full value. Maritime work — on cargo ships, tugboats, offshore rigs, cruise vessels, and commercial fishing boats — remains physically dangerous, and the CDC reports that seafarers experience a disproportionate share of occupational injuries and deaths compared with other industries.
When an injured seaman is simultaneously dealing with medical bills, an inability to work, and an employer determined to minimize what they pay, the temptation to accept an inadequate settlement is significant. Pre-settlement funding removes that pressure entirely, allowing your attorney to negotiate from a position of patience and strength.
Common Jones Act Scenarios That Qualify
Jones Act lawsuit loans are available for a broad range of maritime injury scenarios, including traumatic brain injuries from falls or being struck by equipment, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries from heavy machinery or shifting cargo, and injuries caused by unsafe or unseaworthy vessel conditions. Workers who don't meet the seaman threshold — generally those who don't spend a substantial portion of their work time on a vessel — may instead be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and your attorney can clarify which framework applies to your situation.
Maritime injuries requiring extensive treatment may also benefit from surgery lawsuit funding if a procedure is needed before the case resolves.
The Role of Your Attorney in the Funding Process
Your attorney is a central participant in the Jones Act pre-settlement funding process. Diamondback Funding communicates directly with your legal representation to assess the strength of your negligence or unseaworthiness claim, review documentation of unsafe working conditions, and determine an appropriate advance amount based on the severity of your injury and the strength of your case.
Understanding the Real Value of Jones Act Claims
Because the Jones Act allows full recovery of pain and suffering damages alongside economic losses, settlement and verdict values in serious maritime injury cases can be substantial. Maritime injury claims, particularly those filed under the Jones Act, can take more than a year to resolve given the complexity of the law and the court systems that hear these cases. The financial endurance that pre-settlement funding provides allows injured seamen to wait for a settlement that genuinely reflects their losses, rather than settling early out of necessity.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Jones Act lawsuit loans before you apply.
Jones Act lawsuit loan amounts typically range from $500 to $100,000 or more, based on the estimated settlement value of your case. The primary factors are injury severity, strength of the negligence or unseaworthiness claim, and documented damages. Diamondback Funding works directly with your attorney to arrive at a funding amount appropriate for your specific situation.
You generally qualify if you spend a substantial portion of your work time on a vessel in navigable waters and your duties contribute to the vessel's function or mission. This includes captains, deckhands, engineers, and many other crew roles. Your attorney can confirm your seaman status based on the specifics of your job.
If your case is lost or dismissed, you owe nothing. Repayment comes exclusively from your settlement proceeds — no personal liability, no debt collection, and no credit impact. Diamondback Funding absorbs the risk entirely.
Most Jones Act funding applications are approved and funded within 24 to 48 hours of receiving complete case documentation from your attorney. Calling us directly at (917) 267-8368 can also accelerate the process.
No. Pre-settlement funding has no effect on your legal case, your attorney's strategy, or settlement negotiations. The funding is disclosed to your attorney as part of the process but cannot be used against you by your employer. Your attorney remains fully in control of the litigation.
Yes. As your case progresses and medical expenses accumulate, supplemental funding may be available. We can reassess your case value and funding needs at any point during litigation. Contact your dedicated case manager to discuss a funding review if your financial situation changes.
Take the First Step
Don't Let Financial Pressure Force a Bad Settlement
You deserve time to pursue full and fair compensation for your maritime injury. Diamondback Funding gives you that time — with fast, transparent, risk-free pre-settlement cash advances.