Were You Injured On the Job as a Cruise Ship Crew Member?
Crew members on cruise ships have very interesting jobs. They get to meet a lot of new people, travel the world, and see some of the most historic and well-known sites. Unfortunately, the hours are also highly demanding and crew members must sometimes perform their employment duties amid rough seas and other difficult conditions.
If you are a crew member who has been injured while working on a cruise ship, you may be eligible for compensation. Obtaining the full compensation you deserve is not easy, though. Below, our Florida cruise ship accident lawyer outlines your legal options.
How Do Cruise Ship Crew Members Become Injured?
Cruise ship crew member injuries are very common throughout Florida, mainly because the state sees so many cruise ships every year. Crew members on cruise ships become injured in three main ways. These include:
- Accidents: Accidents are very common on cruise ships, particularly when crew members are not given proper training or safety measures are not followed. Most of these accidents are preventable yet they cause crew members to suffer serious injuries that have long recovery times.
- Criminal acts, such as assault: No one wants to think about it, but crimes can happen onboard cruise ships. Assaults and other crimes do occur and when a crew member becomes hurt as a result, they can file a claim against their perpetrator or against another third party who is liable for the injury.
- Illnesses: Cruise ship crew members can become seriously ill when they are exposed to dangerous working conditions such as food poisoning, or exposure to toxic chemicals.
When a cruise ship crew member becomes injured due to any of the above three causes, they may have a claim against the liable party, such as the cruise ship company.
What Laws Protect Cruise Ship Crew Members?
If you are injured while working on a cruise ship, you may be able to pursue compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”) or the Jones Act. The Jones Act provides protections for crew members onboard vessels to pursue claims against liable parties while the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act protects other land-based shore-side maritime workers, excluding crew, officers, and captains.
Even if you are protected under these laws, it is still important to contact a personal injury lawyer familiar with boating laws and these types of claims. Claims involving cruise ship workers are extremely complicated and could involve different jurisdictions. Additionally, the Jones Act is also very complex and determining who is liable for injuries is very difficult. Lastly, cruise ship companies are very big and have teams of lawyers representing them. It is important for you to have legal representation, as well.
Call Our Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer in Florida Today
If you have been injured while working on a cruise ship, it is critical that you obtain sound legal advice. At www.888BOATLAW.com, our Florida cruise ship accident lawyer has the necessary experience these claims require and will put that expertise to work on your claim so you obtain the full compensation you deserve. Call or text us now at 888-BOAT-LAW (888-262-8529) or chat with us online to request a free consultation.
Sources:
help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-23?language=en_US
dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dlhwc/FAQ/lsfaqs
