Estero Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer
A cruise ship is a hive of activity. To make as much money as possible, cruise ship lines book as many passengers as possible, even if the figure exceeds the reasonable safe occupancy limit. To take care of all these customers, most cruise ships are basically floating cities. Employees include not only captains and sailors but also cooks, dancers, barbers, recreational supervisors, wait staff, singers, and almost every other professional imaginable.
Medical staff is one of the noteworthy exceptions. Cruise ships have extensive facilities, except when it comes to medical facilities, which are usually little more than first-aid stations. Furthermore, there’s usually not an Estero cruise ship injury lawyer from Cardinal Law on board. A victim must take the first step and reach out to us. As soon as that happens, we get to work, building a solid case that withstands insurance company defenses, resulting in maximum compensation for your serious injuries.
Estero Cruise Ship Lawyers and Employee Injuries
A workers’ compensation-style system, administered by the state or federal government, usually protects injured cruise ship employees.
If the cruise ship was in port at the time of the injury, or less than two miles offshore, Florida’s workers’ compensation system usually applies. Or, the workers’ compensation system in the closest state, like Mississippi or Louisiana, protects the victim.
Workers’ compensation benefits replace lost wages and pay reasonably necessary medical bills. These benefits are available even if the victim was partially at fault, mostly at fault, or entirely at fault for the injury.
Insurance companies cannot contest liability (legal responsibility), at least in most cases. However, they routinely contest damages (amount of compensation). For example, if emergency responders airlifted a victim to a hospital, an adjuster often argues that a surface ambulance would have done the trick.
If the injury occurred beyond the two-mile limit, a federal program, usually the Jones Act, protects victims. Congress initially passed this statute (46 U.S.C. § 30104) to protect merchant marine sailors. It also extends the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to seamen. The Act enables seamen who have been injured at sea during the course of their employment to bring a personal injury action against their employers.
Usually, the burden of proof is lower in these cases. So, it’s easier to prove negligence, or a lack of care, and obtain compensation.
Incidentally, these programs also apply to occupational diseases, such as repetitive stress injuries, which are work related.
Passenger Injuries
Negligence also causes many passenger injuries, such as falls, man-overboard drownings, and assaults linked to inadequate security.
These personal injuries are bad enough. The extenuating facts, as well as some unique legal problems, often make these injuries worse.
Usually, an injured passenger is a long way from a competent doctor, as mentioned above. During the transportation process, the victim’s injuries intensify and become harder to treat. The increased difficulties intensify the amount of medical bills and other damages.
Furthermore, many cruise ship tickets have choice of law provisions buried in the fine print. These provisions require victims to bring legal action in certain areas. Additionally, the provisions often contain mandatory arbitration provisions.
These matters require additional work, but the extra work is worthwhile, because additional compensation is usually available as well.
Work With a Tough-Minded Lee County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Estero cruise ship injury lawyer, contact Cardinal Law, P.A. Attorneys can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no insurance or money.
