How Dangerous is it to Be a Crew Member on a Cruise Ship?
Working as a crew member on a cruise ship can be dangerous, as there is a high risk of fatal or life-altering slip and falls, intentional assaults, illness, and other incidents, many of which crew members may seek compensation for with our lawyers’ help.
Crew members also face potential dangers during land excursions, such as motor vehicle accidents. Repetitive motion injuries and overexertion are common for crew members with labor-intensive roles. Crew members may sue cruise ships for injuries resulting from negligence under the Jones Act, an area in which our lawyers have considerable experience.
Get a confidential and free case analysis from our cruise ship injury lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind now at (305) 204-5369.
Is Being a Crew Member on a Cruise Ship Dangerous?
Being a crew member on a cruise ship is relatively dangerous. Being at sea poses risks in and of itself, especially when constantly moving in and out of foreign ports all over the world.
Injuries and illnesses are relatively common because of the close quarters and frequent hazards on a cruise. In addition to serious injuries, crew members also face the risk of death or disappearance from a cruise ship.
Because of the dangers associated with being at sea, crew members may sue their employers for negligence under the Jones Act, a federal law that our cruise ship injury lawyers understand and can apply to your case.
What Are Common Dangers for Cruise Ship Crew Members?
Crew members face many dangers on cruise ships, from hazardous deck conditions and intentional assaults. If you sustain injuries due to any of the following circumstances, our lawyers can help you file a claim for compensation.
Hazardous Conditions
Slick decks, dim lighting, tripping hazards, and other dangerous conditions on cruise ships often contribute to crew member injuries. Slip and falls are one of the most common causes of injury for anyone on a cruise ship, including the crew.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries are another potential danger of working on a cruise ship, especially if you have a labor-intensive role or routinely participate in certain tasks that could lead to reduced range of motion, swelling, stiffness, weakness, or numbness over time.
Repetitive motion injuries are common in the hands, back, hips, neck, wrists, elbows, and knees.
Illness
Illnesses spread quickly on cruises, putting crew members and passengers at risk of getting sick. Sometimes, the cruise itself is liable for illness if it spreads due to the cruise’s failure to address it and quarantine affected crew and passengers, or the kitchen staff’s poor food safety practices.
Overexertion
Overexertion injuries occur when cruise ship crew members work long hours in the sun. They might faint and hit the ground, suffering head, back, or neck injuries.
Intentional Assaults
Intentional assaults are an unfortunate occurrence on cruise ships, and crew members are also at risk of sustaining injuries during an assault by another crew member, a passenger on the ship, or a non-passenger who boarded the ship because of negligent security.
Physical and sexual assaults are somewhat common, and crew members may sue for damages from either.
Fires
Fires are another potential hazard on cruise ships, especially for crew members who work in the kitchen, engine room, or incinerator room. Burns are not only painful, but they also often leave victims with permanent scars, which may increase their non-economic damages.
The onboard medical staff may be unable to treat severe burns, and an injured crew member may have to be medically evacuated to a foreign hospital with more resources.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents sometimes occur during cruise ship land excursions that crew members are also part of. The cruise ship may still be liable for a land excursion if it was a joint venture, the cruise failed to warn about the dangers, or the cruise poorly vetted the excursion company.
FAQs About Crew Member Injury Lawsuits Against Cruise Ships
Can Crew Members Sue Cruise Ships for Injury?
The Jones Act, a federal law, gives crew members the right to sue cruise ship companies, their employers, for injuries caused by negligence.
How Long Do Crew Members Have to Sue for Injury?
The Jones Act gives crew members and passengers injured due to negligence three years to sue a cruise ship. Cruise ships often require a claim notice within six months, which our lawyers can provide.
Should Crew Members Report Injuries to Cruise Ships?
Report an onboard or land excursion injury to your employer immediately. We may need to obtain their records of the incident later on, so you must inform them. You should also report to the onboard medical staff for immediate treatment.
How Can You Document Dangerous Cruise Ship Conditions?
Crew members injured by dangerous conditions on a cruise ship should document them by taking photos, which they can give to our lawyers for use as evidence in the future.
Do Injured Crew Members Need Lawyers to Get Compensation?
If you don’t have an experienced lawyer by your side, you risk misunderstanding the intricacies of the Jones Act, undervaluing your claim, and not preserving evidence that could otherwise get you a big settlement or jury award.
What Compensation Can Crew Members Get for Cruise Ship Injuries?
A crew member injured because of a cruise ship’s negligence can sue for all the lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering they have endured, all of which are damages our lawyers can calculate for you.
Does the Jones Act Limit Compensation for Injured Crew Members?
The Jones Act does not limit compensatory damages for injured cruise ship crew members, meaning we may seek relief for all the damages you have incurred.
Let Us Review Your Cruise Ship Injury Case Today
Call the cruise ship injury lawyers of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind at (305) 204-5369 for a free case discussion today.
