Workers injured on a cruise ship or commercial vessel can turn to a maritime injury lawyer for help.

Offshore injury laws vary depending upon the circumstances and the body of water where the incident occurs. Seamen who become ill or injured while on the water may need assistance from an experienced maritime injury lawyer who can help recover the maximum compensation from the entity responsible for the harm.

No one said working on a commercial ship would be easy, and for some mariners it can be dangerous. Merchant seamen may be at risk for any of the following harms:

• Norovirus infections and other types of food poisoning
• Overboard falls
• Fire injuries
• Docking accidents
• Injuries due to navigational errors
• Swimming pool accidents

Cruise ships that depart from U.S. waters are considered “common carriers” under the Shipping Act of 1984. A common carrier owes a greater duty of care to its passengers than a standard of reasonable care. The common carrier must provide special duty to keep passengers from harm because once the boat has left the dock, the passengers are entrusting the cruise ship company and its crew to keep them safe. Passengers are on the ship 24/7 with no option of going home, and they must trust they will be safe and secure while on their cruise.

An experienced maritime injury lawyer can determine whether or not the boat’s owner, the charter company, the ship operator, the ticketing agency or other entity is responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained.

A variety of federal laws, state laws and maritime laws can affect the outcome of your particular case.

Seamen Seeking Advice of Maritime Injury Lawyer

Those who work on a vessel are considered seamen, and as such, are covered by the Merchant Marine Act, also known as the Jones Act. The U.S. Congress passed this act in 1920 to extend the Federal Employers Liability Act, providing assistance to seamen who become injured or ill while working on a ship.

In order to be covered by the Jones Act, the crew member must work at least 30 percent of their time working on a boat or a group of boats owned by the same person or company.

Under the Jones Act, a ship owner can be found negligent for a variety of reasons that could have led to the injury or illness of a seaman. The owner should ensure the equipment and appliances are in safe working order; the ship master and other crewmen are competent; dangerous weather is avoided; proper medical treatment is given as needed; and adequate supervision is provided.

Injuries incurred while living aboard the ship or when arriving or leaving the vessel are covered even if they are not work-related incidents.

An experienced maritime injury lawyer can help a seaman collect compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses due to the maritime injury.