Cruise Ship Crew Member Back Injuries

Cruise ship crew members engage in physically demanding work tasks every day, which can result in severe and long-lasting back injuries. These injuries can result from slip-and-fall accidents, heavy lifting, long work hours, and repetitive stress. Back injuries can be some of the most debilitating work injuries, impacting an employee’s ability to work and overall quality of life.

Maritime workers face different challenges after a workplace injury than their land-based counterparts. For crew members suffering from back injuries, it’s crucial to understand how maritime law and the Jones Act allow them to seek the compensation and medical treatment they need.

If you suffered a back injury while working on a cruise ship, call Louis A. Vucci P.A. at (786) 375-0344 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our experienced maritime crew member injury attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help set you up for legal success.

Common Causes of Cruise Ship Crew Member Back Injuries

There are many ways for cruise ship employees to suffer back injuries on the job. Some of the most common causes of back injuries among crew members include:

• Slip and Fall Accidents – Wet floors in kitchens, on decks, and in other areas of ships are a significant contributor to back injuries caused by slip and fall accidents. Even a seemingly minor fall can cause a severe back injury, depending on how you land.
• Heavy Lifting – Cruise ship workers may need to lift heavy objects, including luggage, supplies, and machinery. Lifting heavy objects without proper training or equipment can strain the back and cause sprains, herniated discs, and muscle tears. Sometimes, single heavy lifting events can lead to traumatic injury, but other times, heavy lifting over time can lead to chronic back pain and other long-term disabilities.
• Long Work Hours – Many cruise ship employees work long shifts with little downtime. Standing or walking for extended periods without rest can contribute to back fatigue and muscle strain. Overworked crew members may also be at an increased risk of accidents that lead to injury.
• Repetitive Stress – Loading supplies, performing maintenance tasks, and other repetitive motions put workers at risk of developing repetitive stress injuries. These injuries worsen over time until they become severe enough to impact a crew member’s ability to perform their duties and daily tasks. These injuries can be challenging to identify and link to your work, making it vital that you speak to a maritime injury attorney as soon as you realize you have an injury.

Maritime Law for Injured Cruise Workers

Cruise ship members have special protections provided by maritime law when they suffer work-related injuries. Maritime law claims are distinct from standard workers’ compensation claims on land and provide several key protections for injured crew members:

• Negligence-Based Compensation – One of the biggest differences between maritime law and workers’ compensation is that maritime law allows injured workers to file personal injury lawsuits against their employers. Cruise lines must provide their employees with a safe working environment, and they may be liable for any injuries caused by their negligence. If you suffered a back injury while working on a cruise ship, it’s essential that you contact a maritime injury lawyer so they can begin building your case.
• Maintenance and Cure – Regardless of fault, cruise lines must provide injured crew members with maintenance and cure. Maintenance refers to the daily living expenses of an injured worker while they recover, and cure refers to the injured worker’s medical treatment. Maintenance and cure are essential for injured cruise ship crew members who often don’t have any alternative options for treatment other than their employer while they are at sea.

How Does the Jones Act Help Injured Cruise Ship Employees?

The Jones Act is a federal law that protects ship workers’ rights to seek compensation after an injury caused by their employer’s negligence. Some of the most important parts of the act for cruise ship employees who suffer back injuries are:

• Establishing Liability – The Jones Act provides several options for injured workers to establish liability in their claims. If your employer’s or coworker’s negligence, willful misconduct, or neglect of or refusal to obey the laws governing the ship caused your injury, you can use that evidence to establish their liability.
• Personal Injury Claims – Injured crew members can file personal injury claims under the Jones Act to seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These personal injury claims go beyond maintenance and cure since they rely on proving fault and establishing the employer’s liability.
• Statute of Limitations – Crew members who suffer back or other injuries while working must file their personal injury claims within three years of their injury. Failure to file your claim within the period set by the statute of limitations could result in the courts barring you from seeking compensation, so it’s essential that you speak to an experienced maritime injury attorney as soon as possible.

Steps Crew Members Should Take After a Back Injury on a Cruise Ship

After a back injury, cruise ship crew members should follow these steps to protect their legal rights and improve their chances of obtaining compensation:

• Report Your Injury – It’s vital that you report your injury to your supervisor, the medical staff, or another relevant authority on the ship as soon as possible. Failing to report your injury could jeopardize your ability to file a claim later on. This report will also begin a paper trail for your injury and treatment and will be crucial evidence in your case.
• Seek Medical Care – Even if you don’t believe your back injury is that bad, you should seek medical treatment. Seeking immediate medical treatment shows your employer and their insurance company that you took your injury seriously and will make it harder for them to challenge the validity of your claim. You should also continue your follow-up treatments until reaching your maximum medical improvement (MMI) to protect your right to compensation.
• Gather Evidence – If possible, take photos of the work conditions that led to your injuries. You can also gather eyewitness statements from coworkers who saw your accident or experienced the same work conditions that led to your injury.
• Consult a Maritime Injury Lawyer – Maritime laws can be complex, so consulting a maritime injury lawyer early on is vital. Your lawyer will assist you by gathering supporting evidence, calculating your damages, negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf, and representing you at trial if necessary.

How to Prove Employer Negligence After a Cruise Ship Back Injury

Proving your employer’s negligence is a key part of Jones Act claims. Your attorney can help you gather several types of evidence that can help build a strong case:

• Witness Statements – Other cruise line workers and passengers who witnessed your injury can provide statements that back up your claim of what happened.
• Expert Testimony – Your attorney may hire expert witnesses, such as medical, financial, and cruise professionals, to provide opinions regarding your injuries and treatment, the impact of your injuries on your income, and your employer’s actions compared to industry norms.
• Evidence of Unsafe Conditions – If a hazardous working condition contributed to your back injury, photo evidence may be able to prove your employer’s negligence. And if there’s proof that your employer previously knew about the unsafe condition and didn’t rectify it, that can be even stronger evidence.
• Security Camera Footage – Your attorney may be able to access ship security camera footage that shows your accident or the unsafe conditions that caused it.

How Can Louis A. Vucci P.A. Help Cruise Workers with Back Injuries?

Louis A. Vucci P.A. has years of experience helping injured cruise ship crew members seek compensation for their on-the-job back injuries. Our legal team will put our knowledge of personal injury claims and maritime law to work for you by:

• Investigating the Incident – We’ll thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to your back injury to identify liable parties and gather supporting evidence.
• Providing Legal Advice – We’ll provide sound legal advice based on maritime law and the Jones Act so you can make educated decisions regarding your claim.
• Calculating Your Damages – We’ll work with medical professionals and financial experts to calculate your economic and non-economic damages.
• Negotiating with the Insurance Company – We’ll negotiate with your employer’s insurance company for a fair settlement that meets your financial needs.
• Presenting Your Case at Trial – If the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, we’ll present your case at trial and seek the maximum compensation.

Maritime Back Injury Attorney

If you suffered a back injury while working on a cruise ship, you don’t have to face the personal injury legal system alone. Louis A. Vucci P.A. will assist you with every aspect of your case, from investigating the incident to representing you at trial.

Contact us online or call our law office at (786) 375-0344 to speak with one of our experienced maritime injury attorneys about your case. We’ll provide an initial evaluation, explain your legal options under maritime law, and answer any questions you have about the personal injury claims process.