For many, a cruise is a long-awaited vacation of a lifetime. Most often, these trips are filled with first-time experiences and happy memories. However, if something goes wrong on a cruise ship, everything can be thrown into chaos. Any vessel out on the water creates a potentially dangerous environment where serious injuries can impact passengers and crew members, and maritime injury law usually takes affect. If you or a loved one suffered injuries while in this situation, a Midland cruise ship accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Who Can File a Claim for a Cruise Ship Injury?
Cruise ship companies have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for workers and passengers; when an accident occurs, negligence is usually a factor. Any passenger or cruise ship employee may be eligible for compensation following an accident. However, the process of filing a claim is different for passengers vs employees.
Passengers
Some of the most common cruise ship injuries affecting passengers include falling overboard, slipping on the deck, accidents during off-ship excursions, assault, and negligence by onboard healthcare providers. These are preventable situations that can be attributed to an unsafe environment or negligent actions of staff members. In some cases, a specific person responsible for injuries and the cruise line are both responsible for injuries sustained by a passenger.
An injured cruise ship passenger in Midland can file a lawsuit against the employee or company to get compensation for economic and non-economic costs. Recoverable damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost work income, physical pain, and psychological suffering. If a cruise ship accident results in someone’s wrongful death, surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation for their own losses.
Workers
Employees on cruise ships are considered seamen and are not eligible for workers’ compensation like typical Texas employees. Instead, these employees are covered under the federal Jones Act.
The Jones Act provides maritime workers with benefits to cover medical expenses and other costs after a work injury. Employers are required to pay for reasonable expenses and medical bills related to any work injury on a cruise ship. When the accident was caused by the employer’s negligence, an injured worker may be eligible for additional benefits, including costs of future medical care and lost earning ability. A Midland lawyer can help cruise ship employees gather evidence and determine eligibility for various types of compensation.
How an Accident Lawyer Can Help
Injuries on a cruise ship fall under maritime law and are usually subject to federal laws instead of Texas state regulations. This can make it difficult to navigate the applicable laws and file a successful claim. Since cruise ships travel international waters and are based out of various states and countries, many legal statutes are defined in the ticket contract purchased by passengers. Most cruise lines require injured passengers to file a claim within one year of the date of the injury. Navigating these complex laws and filing a lawsuit before the deadline can be challenging.
Our lawyers have substantial experience handling personal injury cases that occur on ships and other vessels. They can examine the details of injured passengers’ and crew members’ cases to determine how to pursue compensation.
Consult with a Midland Cruise Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Claim
Cruise ships can present a dangerous environment for passengers and workers. However, the cruise line has a responsibility to protect everyone on board from preventable injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise ship, support from a Midland cruise ship accident lawyer is crucial for getting fair compensation for your injuries. Contact the lawyers at Schechter Shaffer & Harris to set up a consultation to discuss your legal right to compensation.
