Sarasota Cruise Ship Worker Injury Lawyer
Most people who are injured at work in or around Sarasota, Florida are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim as long as they work for a covered employer. Indeed, employers in nearly all industries are required to have workers’ compensation insurance under Florida law to cover worker injuries. Yet cruise ship workers are in a different position because their work occurs on the water. Even when a cruise ship is docked and cruise ship employees are engaged in work-related activities on the boat, they are still on the water. When a cruise ship worker or another “seaman” gets hurt on the job, that person likely will need to file an injury claim under the Jones Act.
If you need help with your cruise ship worker injury claim or have questions about seeking compensation under the Jones Act, an experienced Sarasota cruise ship worker injury lawyer can help you with your claim.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act, or the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal law that allows an injured “seaman” to file a claim against his or her employer for an injury that occurred at work. People who work on the water, including cruise ship workers, are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits like people who work on dry land in the Sarasota area. Instead, the federal Jones Act allows an injured cruise ship worker to sue the employer for negligence.
Who is a “seaman”? In general, this is a type of worker who spends a majority of work time on a vessel that is “in navigation.” To be a vessel in navigation, a ship does not have to be en route to a destination. Rather, it needs to be afloat, it needs to be currently in operation, it needs to be capable of moving on the water, and it needs to be on navigable waters.
Filing a Claim in Sarasota Under the Jones Act
What do you need to do in order to file a claim under the Jones Act? The process can be complicated, so you should have an experienced attorney on your side. In general, the process will involve the following:
- Reporting your injury within seven days;
- Providing an accident report;
- Seeking medical treatment; and
- Filing a lawsuit under the Jones Act.
Common Types of Sarasota Cruise Ship Injuries
What are some of the common types of injuries that cruise ship workers suffer while working? The following are frequent injuries that result in cruise ship worker claims:
- Slips and falls;
- Trips and falls;
- Drowning accidents in cruise ship swimming pools;
- Falls from heights;
- Falls overboard;
- Elevator accidents;
- Escalator accidents; and
- Food poisoning.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney in Sarasota
Do you need help filing an injury claim against a cruise ship employer under the Jones Act? Federal Jones Act claims can be complicated, but you can effectively file a claim against a negligent employer with the help of a Sarasota cruise ship injury attorney. If you were injured while working on a cruise ship, do not hesitate to get in touch with an advocate at our firm. Contact Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian for more information about your options.
