JONES ACT CREW CLAIMS
Hurt working on a cruise ship? Crew have rights that passengers do not.
Cruise ship crew work long shifts in tight, wet and moving spaces, and injuries can happen in the galley, on deck, in engine areas and in crew quarters. If you were hurt on the job, however, the Jones Act and maritime law may give you rights that a passenger would not have. Because the employer controls the ship and the paperwork, speaking up early can matter.
Crew claims can have their own deadlines and contract terms, so please call before you sign anything or accept a settlement.
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Results
- $150KCarnival · passenger accident
- $80KRoyal · slip & fall
- $35KRoyal · slip & fall
- $100KHolland America · slip & fall
- $38KMSC · slip & fall
- $70KCarnival · slip & fall on deck
HOW CREW INJURIES HAPPEN
A ship is a workplace, and the work is hard on the body.
Crew members often work long shifts, with little time off, in wet and moving spaces far from home. Because of that, a slip in a galley, a fall from a ladder or a crushed hand can happen fast, and the injury may be worse if treatment is slow.
Crew claims can work differently from passenger claims. For example, a case may involve the Jones Act, which covers an employer’s negligence, and the idea that a vessel must be reasonably fit for its crew. In addition, an injured crew member may be owed maintenance and cure, meaning living costs and medical care while recovering, even when no one was at fault.
Galley & kitchen injuries
Burns, cuts and falls on wet floors in crowded kitchens.
Deck & mooring work
Lines, winches and heavy equipment during docking.
Engine room & machinery
Crushing, burns and exposure to chemicals or noise.
Slips & falls
Wet decks, ladders and stairs, on and off shift.
Heavy lifting & repetitive strain
Back, shoulder and joint injuries from loading and cleaning.
Unsafe equipment & training
Worn gear, or crew who were never properly trained.
Long hours & fatigue
Exhaustion that raises the risk of an accident.
Delayed medical care
Slow treatment or a late transfer to a hospital.
Anywhere else on board or ashore
Crew quarters, tenders and port duties. A hazard isn’t limited to the places listed here.
WHAT YOU HAVE TO PROVE
Crew claims can follow more than one route.
A crew member’s rights come from the Jones Act and from general maritime law, and they differ from a passenger’s rights. A case can rest on negligence, on a ship or equipment that was not reasonably fit, or on a duty to pay for care and living costs while you recover. Which routes apply depends on your job, your ship and your contract, so each claim needs its own review.
Negligence
The employer or a co-worker did not use reasonable care, and it played a part in your injury.
An unfit vessel
The ship, equipment or crew was not reasonably fit for the work.
Maintenance and cure
Living costs and medical care while you recover, which may be owed whoever was at fault.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A CREW INJURY
Get care first, and be careful what you sign.
Report the injury
Tell your supervisor and the ship’s medical center right away, then ask for a copy of the report. Reporting early protects your claim.
Get medical care
Ask for treatment, and for a referral to a shore hospital if you need one. Keep every record, bill and note.
Be careful what you sign
Do not sign releases, statements or settlement papers you have not read, and do not accept a payment until you have spoken with a lawyer.
Write down what happened
Note the date, the place, the task, the equipment and who saw it, and take photos if you can.
Keep your contract and papers
Your employment contract may set rules and deadlines. Save your pay slips, messages and medical papers too.
Call a Cruise Injury Attorney
Medical records, work logs and camera footage can be lost or overwritten. We can send a written request that they be preserved.
CREW CLAIM RESULTS
All results[Confirm] INJURY TYPE
$0.0M[Confirm] One plain line about a real crew claim the firm handled.
[Confirm] INJURY TYPE
$0.0M[Confirm] One plain line about a real crew claim the firm handled.
[Confirm] INJURY TYPE
$0.0M[Confirm] One plain line about a real crew claim the firm handled.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
IN CLIENTS’ WORDS
“I really cant say enough great things about this Firm. Honest, ethical and great communicators. Dell, made me feel like family and answered all my questions numerous times. The experience that Jason and his team have is quite obvious. They kept me comprised about my case at all times. Very happy client!!”
“Very clean office, professional staff, and the highest quality of service, because of Jason Chaliks tenacity, and fierceness in the courtroom I was awarded 250,000$ in a slip & fall injury. Thanks Chalik & Chalik!!!!”
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
QUESTIONS BEFORE THE CALL
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that lets a seaman bring a claim against an employer for injuries caused by negligence. It sits alongside other maritime rights, such as maintenance and cure. Because it applies differently from job to job, we review your details with you before giving a view.
Am I covered if I work on a cruise ship?
Many crew members are, but it depends on your role and how closely your work is tied to the ship. Because the rules can be technical, please call us even if you are unsure. We can tell you what applies to your situation.
What are maintenance and cure?
Maintenance and cure generally means living costs and medical care while an injured seaman recovers. It may be owed even when no one was at fault. Since the amounts and rules vary, we explain what applies to you.
Can I still bring a claim if my contract has an arbitration clause?
Many crew contracts include arbitration or other terms about where a claim is heard. These can limit where a case goes, but they do not always end it. Because contracts differ, we read yours before giving a view.
Will I lose my job if I make a claim?
Fear of losing work stops many crew members from speaking up, and we understand that. Retaliation for reporting an injury can be a separate legal problem, so please call us to talk it through. We will explain your options privately.
How long do I have to file a crew claim?
Crew claims have their own time limits, and your contract may add its own. These are different from a passenger’s ticket deadlines, and they can be short. Since the clock may already be running, call as soon as you can, and we will check the dates that apply to your ship and your contract.
What does it cost to find out if I have a case?
Nothing. The case review is free, and if we take your case, we work on contingency, so our fee comes only from what we recover for you. If we do not win, you owe us nothing in attorney fees.
FREE CASE REVIEW
Hurt on a cruise? Talk to Debi’s team today.
No fee unless we win. The call costs nothing, and we respond as soon as possible.