Port of Miami Crew Injury Lawyer

Working on the open seas may be a dream job for some of us. Spending time on a cruise ship lets you meet new people and travel to different places worldwide.

While most land-based jobs come with risks, crew members face added dangers when working on cruise ships. Equipment breakdowns, failures, lack of safety equipment, slippery walking surfaces, tight quarters, or improper food handling can lead to injury or illness. When crew members are hurt, they risk receiving inadequate medical care from under- or unqualified doctors on the ship or when docked at port.

While land-based employees are usually protected by workers' compensation laws when they are hurt, crew members are not. The rules that protect crews who work on cruise ships can be complex and challenging to understand. If you are a crew member injured while working on a cruise ship, you should seek the help of a Miami personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. At Wolfson & Leon, our Miami cruise ship injury attorneys help crew members recover compensation when they have been hurt on the job. You can receive a free and confidential consultation when you call us today at 305-285-1115.

The Port of Miami is known as the Cruise Capital of the World and typically sees millions of cruise passengers every year. Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are just a few cruise lines that recognize the Port of Miami as their homeport. Departing cruise ships often whisk passengers away to the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica, Aruba, and other exotic locations.

Crew members who are hurt aboard a Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise, or any other ship may be protected under the Jones Act. Injured crew members may be required to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their lost income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering they endure.

The Jones Act typically protects workers on cruise ships. The Act places the liability on cruise lines to follow federally mandated safety guidelines. If the cruise line fails to do so, an injured crew member may be eligible to receive compensation if they were hurt or became sick on the ship.

Put into effect in 1920, the Jones Act was enacted to ensure seamen receive food, shelter, and necessities while onboard a vessel. Over time, the Jones Act incorporated other forms of relief for seamen, such as maintenance and cure.

• Maintenance is financial compensation received from the day you were injured until you reach the end of your recovery process.
• Cure gives crew members the right to receive complete and competent medical coverage at sea.

To be eligible for maintenance and cure, a crew member must meet the definition of a “seaman” under the Act. A crew member must;

• Contribute to the overall function or mission of the ship or vessel,
• Demonstrate they are a crew member through the nature and duration of their work, and
• Spend at least 30% of their time working while the vessel is in navigation.

Beyond the Jones Act, an injured crew member may also find protections under maritime law. Given the legal complexities workers face when being hurt on the job, speaking with a Miami personal injury lawyer specializing in cruise ship injuries can be critical to recovering damages when you have been injured on the job.

Crew members who are gravely injured on the job may be awarded compensation to pay for their medical bills, continuing care, and lost income. Yet the laws that govern crew member accidents on cruise ships can be complicated and difficult to navigate. When you call the Miami cruise ship crew accident lawyers at Wolfson & Leon, you get a team of skilled attorneys who understand the laws that govern cruise ship accidents and injuries. Contact us today for a free and confidential analysis of your case. We review the legal merits of your claim, answer your questions, and let you know what legal options may be available when you have been hurt when working on a cruise ship. Find out how to protect your rights when you've been hurt by calling Wolfson & Leon today at 305-285-1115.