Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Cruise ship workers and crew have a hard job. While they get to travel the world, they also have to put in demanding hours at work, offer exceptional customer service to cruise ship passengers, and complete their tasks – sometimes in difficult conditions or in rough seas. When crew members and cruise ship workers are injured, they may qualify for compensation but securing that compensation can be a challenge.
If you are a crewmember or work for a cruise ship and have been injured, you may wonder whether you have a maritime personal injury claim. You don’t have to wonder any longer. Simply contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation to discuss your situation and your rights.
Cruise Ship Injuries in Miami and South Florida
Cruise ship worker injuries are quite common in South Florida, especially since the region sees so many cruise ships each year. There are three main reasons why crewmembers and other workers may be injured on a cruise ship:
- Accidents. Preventable accidents may occur on a cruise ship if proper safety measures are not followed or if crew do not receive adequate training.
- Assaults and crimes. Just like in any environment, violence can happen onboard a cruise ship. If it does, a crewmember may be able to pursue a claim against the perpetrator or even against any third party liable for the injury.
- Illnesses. If crewmembers are exposed to dangerous working conditions that result in illness or if negligence leads to serious food poisoning or other illness, crewmembers may wish to get legal advice.
In each case, if an injury was caused by negligence or recklessness, a worker may have a claim against the cruise ship company or another liable party.
What Laws Protect You in an Admiralty or Maritime Personal Injury Claim in South Florida?
If you work on a boat or ship and are injured on the job in Miami or any other location, you may be able to seek compensation under the Long Shoremen and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act or the Jones Act. The Jones Act allows workers onboard vessels to seek claims against liable parties while the Long Shoremen and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act covers other maritime employees (not including officers, crew, or captains.
While these laws protect you in the event of an injury, you will still need a personal injury attorney familiar with cruise ship claims. The reality is that claims for maritime workers are quite complex. The cruise ship line may be registered in different countries or there may be a dispute about jurisdiction. In addition, the Jones Act can be quite complex, so determining liability can be difficult. Finally, cruise ship lines are large companies with teams of attorneys. They may immediately hand over paperwork to an injured worker and some of that paperwork may get the injured employee to sign away the right to sue.
If you have been injured as a crewmember or an employee of a cruise ship line, seek legal advice and representation. You don’t want to get less than you deserve in compensation because of a clause in a contract or law. An attorney can represent you while you negotiate with your employer and can work to protect your rights.
The attorneys at Flaxman Law Group have all too often seen situations where injured Florida residents have suffered financial distress after a car crash. We believe that anyone who is injured through no fault of their own deserves the full support of the law. It’s why we’ve dedicated decades of our lives to assisting plaintiffs who have been injured. If you need legal advice or representation, do not hesitate to contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation.