The cruise industry has been growing steadily for years. More people are spending their vacations on cruise ships, enjoying multiple destinations, and taking advantage of onboard activities. However, with many passengers and crew members in a confined space, problems can occur, especially if the cruise ship operators do not take proper precautions to ensure everyone’s safety on board.
If you or a loved one experienced harm while you were a passenger or crew member of a cruise ship, you deserve to seek justice with the help of a credible maritime injury attorney. Because litigation involving cruise ships is more complex than other maritime or work injury claims, working with an experienced Spring cruise ship accident lawyer is essential.
Due to their job duties, people who work on cruise ships can experience several types of injuries. Because “seamen” spend at least 30 percent of their time on a vessel, most crew members receive protection under the Jones Act and other general maritime laws.
Injured crew members may collect maintenance, which is a daily living allowance. They are also entitled to cure benefits, which cover medical expenses related to their on-the-job injury or illness. Cruise ship owners and operators must pay workers maintenance and cure benefits until the crew member’s medical condition has improved or they can return to work. If a cruise ship operator fails to pay maintenance, cure, and sick wages, the crew member may also collect punitive damages.
Injuries often occur when crew members have accidents or develop illnesses due to hazardous working conditions. If a crew member gets hurt because the vessel is unsafe, they could pursue a claim against the vessel’s owner. Some conditions that could make a cruise ship unseaworthy include:
A skilled Spring cruise ship accident attorney could successfully help maritime workers receive the compensation they deserve under the Jones Act.
Although cruise ships appear safe, passengers are at risk for various injuries. Most of these accidents result from negligent actions by someone involved with the cruise ship, such as a crew member, the ship’s operator, a product manufacturer, or another passenger. Cruise ship companies owe a duty of reasonable care to passengers. They should take precautions to minimize dangerous conditions, such as wet floors or other conditions that could make someone slip, trip, and fall. They should also keep the ship in good repair and provide adequate safety measures. If the boat has hidden hazards that a passenger might not recognize, those hazards should be marked with warnings.
A diligent cruise injury attorney in Spring could investigate the circumstances of an accident and look for evidence of dangerous conditions that led to the passenger’s injury. They could also determine if a product manufacturer is liable for producing defective equipment.
When passengers buy a ticket to go on a cruise, they agree to certain legal conditions in the small print. Many tickets have a time limit for injured passengers to file a claim against a cruise ship owner or operator. To preserve the right to bring a lawsuit, consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Although cruise ships appear to be a dream vacation, many people experience injuries while on board. Whether you are a crew member or a passenger, meeting with a dedicated Spring cruise ship accident lawyer is in your best interest. A seasoned attorney could investigate the accident and inform you of your legal options and rights.
Meet with an experienced legal team who could aggressively fight for you.
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