Whether you are a passenger on a cruise ship or a seaman working on a vessel, you have legal protection if you suffer an injury. Below are two recent legal cases in the news illustrating such legal maritime law protection:
Cruise Ship Rapes Causes New legislation to be Enacted
A passenger assaulted on a cruise ship is more common than reported. A cruise line passenger that has been a victim of a cruise ship rape can hold the cruise line responsible, as the passenger’s safety was in the hands of the cruise ship crew members. Whether passengers realize it or not, the ship they are on may not registered in the United Sates. This caused complication in the event of a cruise ship rape since the ship is carrying a flag from a different country and follows their laws.
Cruise ship rapes caused new legislation to be enacted – the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, which requires safety measures for Americans at sea and provides protection for those sexually assaulted on board. If passengers are not made aware of the dangers and not protected enough on-board, the cruise line can be held accountable. When the cruise ship rape involves a crew member, the cruise line is undoubtedly at fault for not screening their employees properly before putting them on a vessel with unsuspecting passengers. An American cruise ship passenger that becomes a rape victim should have the representation of a cruise ship rape attorney because the laws and the litigation process can be complicated.
Negligence Leads To Deckhand’s Leg Injury
The Jones Act is an act that provides certain protections for seamen. When a seaman suffers an injury on the water, he can file a claim under the Jones Act for financial compensation. One example of the Jones Act providing protection is in a recent case of an injured deckhand. The deckhand was working aboard a vessel when the captain of the vessel suddenly accelerated. Since the deckhand had no warning of the sudden burst of speed, his leg became tangled in a rope. He suffered various injuries from the accident. The deckhand hired a Jones Act attorney to handle his claim against his employer.
The Jones Act attorney was able to show that the deckhand had not been sufficiently trained. The attorney also showed that the employer was negligent in the way he operated the vessel, causing the injury. In the end, the case was settled for $925,000. Without the legal assistance of his maritime attorney, the deckhand probably would not have received such a significant settlement. If you, or someone you know, have been injured on a vessel, contact a Jones Act Attorney for advice.
