Carnival Cruise Line Crew Member Injury

At Wolfson & Leon, we invite injured cruise ship workers to contact us for a free and confidential case analysis. We review the circumstances around your accident along with the legal merit of your claim to let you know what compensation you may be eligible to receive when severely injured. Injured Carnival cruise ship workers can learn more when they call Wolfson & Leon today at 305-285-1115.

The Carnival cruise ship accident lawyers at Wolfson & Leon represent crew members injured on Carnival cruise ships or any other cruise line. If you were injured while employed with the Carnival cruise line, you might have questions about what steps to take to protect yourself and what damages may be possible.

Many people are drawn to work on Carnival cruise ships for the excitement of traveling to new places and the constant stream of new people to meet. Crew members receive a handful of benefits, including free food, housing, and monthly events and activities. Cruise ship workers can learn new languages or take business courses free through their onboard learning resource center.

Yet, working on a Carnival cruise ship can be challenging, even with all the benefits. Long hours, few breaks, tight living quarters, and heavy lifting can occur daily for most crew members. Cruise ship workers may encounter dangerous situations when the ship is short-staffed, as they could be injured if they are left to move heavy equipment or luggage without help. Staff working in engine rooms or with mechanical equipment who do not have the proper training can hurt themselves, other crew members, or guests due to their lack of experience.

Cruise ship workers may also be hurt as they move about the ship. Slippery decks, luggage or debris left in hallways, or sudden changes in the ship’s movement may cause a cruise ship worker to slip or trip and fall. Crew members may be subject to injury from more extreme dangers, such as falling overboard, fires, and electrocution. A cruise ship worker may also be gravely injured if a violent crime is committed against them.

When you are badly hurt while working on a Carnival cruise ship, it is essential to know your rights to compensation. Most cruise lines require employees to sign an employment agreement, which may include how to get care, report your injury, and file a claim if they are gravely injured. Sometimes, these provisions may limit how and where you can pursue compensation.

In addition, cruise ship workers cannot file worker’s compensation claims when they get hurt on the job. Instead, they seek financial relief through maritime law, usually under the Jones Act.

The Jones Act protects crew members hurt while working on a ship. Under the Act, the injured crew and their family can recover damages to reimburse them for lost income and compensation for current and future medical treatment. Other non-economic damages may be awarded for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, or mental distress. However, an injured cruise ship worker must qualify for compensation under the Act by meeting certain requirements, including:

• The worker meets the definition of a “seaman,”
• The crew member suffered a workplace injury or death,
• The employer or employees were negligent,
• And the negligence of the employer resulted in injury.

A crew member may also be able to bring a claim against their employer under the Doctrine of Unseaworthiness. In some cases, an injured crew member could receive compensation under the Jones Act and the amounts allowed under this doctrine. To do so, the cruise ship worker must show how the unseaworthy condition of the vessel caused the accident that resulted in injury.

If you are badly hurt while working on a Carnival cruise ship, it is crucial to understand your rights. Not only are the laws different than if you were hurt when working on land, but there may be stipulations in your employment agreement that need to be followed when filing a claim.

Between the complexities of maritime law and employment agreements, it is critical to seek legal advice to help get the compensation you deserve. At Wolfson & Leon, our team of Miami crew member injury attorneys defends the rights of cruise ship workers when they have been hurt. We offer a free consultation, and should you decide to pursue a claim against Carnival or any other cruise line, you pay no legal fees unless your case is settled. Contact the Carnival cruise line accident lawyers at Wolfson & Leon today at 305-285-1115.