Injury on a Cruise Ship-General Maritime Law or Jones Act?

Posted by: rzehl
August 19, 2008
Topic: General Maritime Claims

Cruise ships are often a great way to vacation. Unfortunately, preventable injuries can and do occur quite often onboard these ships. Depending upon what you were doing when you were injured, one of two bodies of law will apply to your case. It is important to hire an attorney who knows which body of law applies to your specific case.

If you, as an employee, were working onboard the ship when you were hurt, you will more than likely be a seaman for the purposes of the Jones Act. This means that you may recover damages under the Jones Act for your injuries as well as for any medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and past and future lost wages resulting from the incident.

If you, as a passenger, were onboard the ship when you were hurt, you will more than likely be able to recover damages under General Maritime Law. Although less favorable than the Jones Act, if you can prove that the cruise ship company or its employees breached their duty and were negligent in providing reasonable care for the safety of the passengers, you may be able to recover damages.

Our attorneys represent clients from throughout the Gulf Coast region including Houston, Mobile, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. If you or someone you know has been injured offshore, contact the experienced Texas maritime lawyers at the Fitts Zehl Law Firm by phone at (800) 993-4887 or by email at info@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com.

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