Cruise ship crew members are not covered by typical workers’ compensation laws.
Rather, their post-injury care falls under a bundle of maritime law rights often called the Jones Act.
When a crew member falls ill or is injured while employed on a cruise ship, the cruise line and ship owner are obligated to provide medical care, as well as room and board until the crew members condition has fully stabilized.
This right is known as Maintenance and Cure.
Beyond that, if the crew member’s injury or illness was caused by negligence or an unsafe condition, the crew member has a right to sue for all of his or her damages, including lost earnings and pain and suffering.
These rights apply to all ship crew members, from hair dressers, entertainers and service staff to the more typical seafarers’ jobs like deck hands and engineers. All are considered seamen under the Jones Act.
Jones Act Attorney
If you are an injured cruise ship crewmember and believe the ship was unsafe or cruise line is at fault for your injury, you must bring legal action to recover any compensation.
Negligence or a dangerous or defective condition of the ship or of its gear or equipment must be proven, and in matters of maritime law, this is often a difficult task.
The situation is complicated by many restrictions and arbitration agreements imposed on crew members by the cruise lines.
But maritime law gives you rights as an employee, so it is important that you seek expert legal representation that is skilled in this area of law.
Turn to a firm that knows maritime personal injury. At the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor, we have more than 100 years’ experience pursuing these cases against ship owners and cruise lines.
Located in California and serving cruise ship crew members nationwide, we will fight on your behalf to recover maximum damages to cover your losses, and your pain and suffering, when you have been hurt on the job.
Contact a Los Angeles Cruise Ship Injury Attorney
Our lawyers understand that each case is unique in its circumstances, and we will prepare a customized case to fight for your rights. To arrange a free and confidential initial consultation, please call us today toll-free at 888-603-5302. You can also complete our confidential form to contact us and we will follow up with you directly.
