Many people enjoy spending time with friends and family cruising on the Mississippi River. However, an accident can happen anywhere, and injuries on a cruise ship are not uncommon. If you were a passenger or crew member aboard a cruise ship and suffered injuries due to someone else’s careless actions, you have the right to recover compensation.
Maritime law governs legal issues that arise while on a cruise ship or other water vessel, and protects those on deck. These laws differ from those relating to off-shore incidents, and it is best to have a well-practiced maritime injury attorney on your side to navigate this unique situation. Contact a Southaven cruise ship injury lawyer today if you were injured and need help with a claim.
Common Injuries That Passengers and Crew Members Sustain on Cruise Ships
Cruises offer a fun and relaxing vacation out on the water. While it is not the first thing that most people think of, accidents and severe injuries are not uncommon. Some of the most typical causes of injuries include:
- Food poisoning
- Falling object hazards
- Slip and falls on wet decks or because of rough waters
- Assault, rape, and theft
- Falling overboard resulting in drowning or wrongful death
Under the maritime law, cruise ship owners have a legal duty of care to protect passengers while on a vessel. An experienced Southaven cruise ship injury attorney can review maritime legislation and help determine the liable party for a civil claim for compensation.
Maritime Protections on Cruise Ships
Maritime law protects cruise ship passengers when injuries or illnesses occur. When passengers suffer injuries because of captain or crew members’ negligence or willful misconduct, they have the legal right to file a civil lawsuit to collect compensation for damages. Unless the charter operator states otherwise in writing, they have three years from the day of the accident to commence the civil action.
The Jones Act governs all accidents and injuries crew members suffer while working on the ship. The federal legislation allows workers, including the ship captain, shipmates, staff, entertainers, cooks, housekeepers, and engineers, to collect benefits for medical bills and living expenses while recovering.
Cruise ship employees and passengers are also eligible to collect compensation for pain and suffering if negligence is involved in the accident. However, the seaman statute is complex. A proactive attorney in Southaven who is experienced in passenger ship injury claims can help injured individuals navigate the challenging process. Elissa M. Coombs from the Law Office of David E. Gordon is well-versed in maritime law and can provide such guidance.
Schedule a Consultation with a Southaven Cruise Ship Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Legal Options
If you were an employee or a passenger on a luxury liner and suffered injuries, you could have the right to recover compensation for medical bills, missing time from work, and pain and suffering. However, maritime legislation is often confusing and varies depending on your reason for being aboard the ship. Luckily, you do not have to figure it out on your own.
A qualified Southaven cruise ship injury lawyer can analyze the specifics of your incident and advocate on your behalf to fight for the fair compensation you need to recover. Schedule a free consultation with Elissa M. Coombs from the Law Office of David E. Gordon today to find out more.
