Maritime Worker Injuries Versus Cruise Ship Injuries

There are many laws, statutes and precedents that apply exclusively to maritime law. There are different regulations and compensation rules for sailors, dock workers, shipbuilders and others who work in port environments. Cargo ships and cruise ships are often owned by citizens of other countries or registered in other countries. This means that international laws and treaties may be applicable.

If you have been injured on a dock, on a ship or while working in any maritime trade, you need a lawyer that is experienced in maritime lawsuits. If you have been injured on a cruise ship, you need the services of a law firm that includes cruise ship injury lawyers.

Maritime Law

Maritime law, also called admiralty law, is group of laws that covers incidents on the ocean and in port areas such as docks, dry-docks and inland waterways. Depending on the situation, a federal court or a state court may have jurisdiction over the case. There are deadlines for filing injury lawsuits that must be met. These deadlines vary depending on if the injury took place on a cruise ship or on land.

There is another deadline if a death was involved. Cruise ship injury lawyers will know these deadlines. They will be experienced in filing maritime lawsuits, and will know when and where to file based on the exact circumstances.

If you are a dockworker or sailor and you have been injured on the job, you need a maritime lawyer. You have special rights to compensation that do not apply to non-maritime workers. You may have rights to lost wages, room and board and medical expenses even if you were at fault. You need a knowledgeable attorney to guide you through the process of making your claim.

If your injury was due to the negligence of a ship’s owner, it is even more important to have a lawyer to protect your rights. You may have rights under a federal law called the Jones Act, including medical expenses, lost earning ability, physical and mental pain and disfigurement. There are several requirements and time limits involved in this type of claim.

Cruise Ship Injuries

Maritime lawsuits regarding injuries aboard cruise ships carry their own special conditions and deadlines. Your ticket came with several pages of terms and conditions that outlined your legal rights. This paperwork also outlined the procedure that must be followed to make a claim.

Federal law says that you must comply with these conditions to be successful in your lawsuit. For example, cruise ships can impose a filing deadline of one year. They can also require that the suit be filed in their home port. This means that you may have to file in a city such as Miami or Galveston. This may be in a different state or even on the opposite coast from you.

The experienced attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers have been successfully handling maritime lawsuits for more than 45 years. If you have been injured as a maritime worker or onboard a cruise ship, contact them today to find out if you have a case.