cruise ship injury lawyer

The dangers of working onboard a ship at sea are clear, but not being in a land-based location means many of the protections of federal and state workers’ compensation laws do not apply. Fortunately, there is a statute that closes this gap. The Jones Act extends the protections of the Federal Employer Liability Act (FELA), which pays compensation to qualifying employees who are injured on the job. Under the Jones Act, you could be entitled to benefits for maintenance and cure, and these amounts offer valuable financial support after a seaman suffers harm in a maritime accident.

Florida boasts almost 8,500 miles of coastline, along with numerous shipping ports and cruise passenger terminals along the way. The maritime industry is extensive, so it is important for those who earn a living through it to know their rights. There are many details that apply to Jones Act claims, so trust a Miami maritime injuries lawyer for assistance. An overview of maintenance and cure is also helpful.

Losses Covered by Maintenance and Cure

Once again, a tragic event has occurred in a cruise ship pool. This past Monday May 18, 2015 a ten year old girl drowned aboard the vessel Norweigian Gem. Our Florida cruise ship lawyers are monitoring the case closely. According to attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, PA, the cruise ship industry does not require lifeguards in their pools. It just does not fit in their business model, says Nicholas I. Gerson of Gerson & Schwartz, PA. This is alarming considering the number of children and pools on passenger vessels. Under federal maritime law, cruise ship operators only have a legal duty to provide reasonable care under the circumstances.

In the last several years, the cruise ship industry in general has been subject to scrutiny based on lack of tougher laws and enforcement of its own rules and regulations. Numerous requests for stricter rules and regulations make their vessels safe are needed for the public. Until recently, cruise ships were not even required to report violent crimes such as rape or sexual assault, nor were they required to cooperate with law enforcement. Accidents like drownings aboard ships are foreseeable and preventable. These ships should have trained lifeguards on duty whenever the pool is open. If the cruise line industry required it’s vessels operate recreational pools with an active life guard and increased safety measures like in you would find in a typical resort, would help make these floating cities safer for all. The cruise ship lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA represent passengers and crew members in all types of accidents. For more information on how we can help, visit www.injuryattorneyfla.com or call toll free at (877) 475-2905.

Articles Tagged with cruise ship injury lawyer

Maintenance and Cure in Jones Act Maritime Injuries Claims

Norwegian Gem Drowning Incident Foreseeable and Preventable, Says Cruise Ship Lawyers at Gerson and Schwartz, PA