Working on a cruise ship is a physically demanding job that can result in various injuries for crew members. Knee injuries are among the most debilitating of these injuries, as they impact a worker’s mobility and often lead to chronic pain that affects their daily life.
Luckily, maritime law and the Jones Act provide avenues for cruise ship crew members who suffer knee injuries to seek the medical care and compensation they need. As an injured crew member, it’s important to understand your legal rights so you can make the most of the benefits available to you.
Louis A. Vucci P.A. has extensive experience in maritime injury cases, including injuries to cruise ship workers. Our legal team is here to assist you with investigating the incident, filing your claim, and seeking the compensation you deserve. Call Louis A. Vucci P.A. at (786) 375-0344 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our maritime crew member injury attorneys.
Common Causes of Knee Injuries for Cruise Ship Crew Members
Crew members face many hazards aboard cruise ships as they perform their daily duties. Some of the most common hazards resulting in knee injuries include:
- Slips and Falls – Wet and slippery surfaces in kitchens and on decks are prime areas for slip-and-fall accidents, which are a leading cause of knee injuries on ships. Crew members may not notice puddles or other hazards in their way while carrying objects, increasing the likelihood of these incidents. Landing awkwardly or with significant force, such as if you slipped on stairs, can result in serious knee injuries, including sprains, torn ligaments, and fractures.
- Improper Lifting – Many crew members must lift heavy objects as part of their work duties, such as moving luggage or handling supplies and equipment. Lifting heavy objects without proper training can damage the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the knees. Over time, improper lifting techniques can lead to chronic knee issues, including tendonitis.
- Repetitive Stress – Working long hours and performing repetitive tasks are common aboard cruise ships, putting workers at increased risk of repetitive stress injuries. Constant walking, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods can strain the knees. Over time, this strain adds up, resulting in conditions such as bursitis and tendonitis, which may require significant medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Long-Term Impact of Knee Injuries for Cruise Ship Workers
Knee injuries can lead to long-term consequences for cruise ship workers, including:
- Chronic Pain – Many knee injuries cause ongoing pain, even after the initial injury heals. Chronic knee pain can make it difficult for crew members to perform daily tasks, leading to a reduced quality of life and a reliance on pain management strategies.
- Loss of Mobility – Injuries like ligament tears or fractures can significantly impact a crew member’s mobility. A loss of mobility can prevent workers from performing physically demanding jobs, limit their career opportunities, and negatively affect their overall quality of life.
- Degenerative Conditions – Repeated or severe knee injuries can cause degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. These conditions worsen over time and may require surgery or significant medical treatment. Crew members who suffer from degenerative conditions will want to speak to their physician and attorney before agreeing to a settlement that may not cover their future medical expenses.
- Increased Risk of Future Injury – Your knee may be more vulnerable to future injuries after suffering an injury. The ligaments in your knee may not recover to their pre-injury strength, causing instability and an increased risk of falling. You may also experience longer recovery periods and additional complications with each subsequent knee injury.
How Maritime Law Helps Injured Cruise Crew Members
Maritime law offers unique protections to crew members injured while working on cruise ships. These protections are in place instead of traditional workers’ compensation and include the following measures:
- Negligence-Based Compensation – Under maritime law, crew members can seek compensation for their injuries caused by the negligence of their employer or coworkers, including unsafe working conditions. This differs from workers’ compensation, which is a no-fault system that prevents most employers from lawsuits.
- Maintenance and Cure – Maritime law requires employers to provide injured maritime workers with maintenance and cure while they recover. Maintenance refers to the worker’s basic living expenses, and cure refers to their necessary medical treatment.
How the Jones Act Benefits Injured Crew Members
The Jones Act provides additional legal protections for injured cruise ship crew members by outlining their right to sue their employers. Clauses in the Jones Act include:
- Establishing Liability – The Jones Act allows crew members to pursue lawsuits for injuries caused by their employer’s negligence, such as unsafe working conditions, lack of safety training, or improperly maintained equipment. Injured crew members only need to prove that negligence occurred and partially contributed to their injury.
- Personal Injury Claims – Under the Jones Act, crew members can file personal injury claims to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This act also allows injured workers to seek damages for the long-term effects of their injuries, such as loss of earning capacity or permanent disability.
- Statute of Limitations – The statute of limitations allows three years for personal injury claims filed under the Jones Act. Injured crew members must file their claims within this period or risk the courts barring them from seeking compensation for their injuries.
Damages Available to Cruise Ship Workers Injured on the Job
Cruise ship crew members who suffer knee injuries on the job can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical Expenses—Medical treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, medical devices, and physical therapy contribute to your medical expenses. It’s essential to keep records of all treatments and medical bills you receive so your attorney can accurately calculate your economic damages.
- Lost Wages – If your knee injury temporarily or permanently impacts your ability to work, you can seek compensation for your lost wages and loss of future earning potential. You may also be able to seek compensation for your lost work benefits, such as retirement fund contributions and health insurance.
- Pain and Suffering – The physical pain and emotional suffering you experience due to your injury contribute to your non-economic damages. If your knee injury results in chronic pain, you may be able to seek additional compensation.
Steps to Take After Suffering a Knee Injury Working on a Cruise Ship
If you suffered a knee injury while working on a cruise ship, taking the following steps can help protect your rights and maximize your chances of receiving compensation:
- Report Your Injury – Report your injury to your supervisor or the ship’s medical staff as soon as possible. Reporting your injury will create a paper trail of the incident in the ship’s records. However, you should also document the incident, including the time, date, location, and other details of your injury.
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if your injury seems minor, you should seek medical attention. Seeking medical care shows your employer and their insurance provider that you took your injury seriously, and it can prevent your injury from worsening. It’s also important that you continue your follow-up treatment until reaching your maximum medical improvement (MMI).
- Collect Evidence – Take pictures of the accident scene, especially if a hazardous condition contributed to your injury. You should also collect witness statements and keep copies of your medical reports. Your attorney can use this evidence when building your case.
- Consult a Maritime Injury Lawyer – Always speak to an experienced maritime injury lawyer after suffering an injury while working on a cruise ship. Your attorney will help you understand your legal rights and options and will make sure you file your claim within the statute of limitations.
How Can Louis A. Vucci P.A. Help Cruise Workers with Knee Injuries?
Louis A. Vucci P.A. has extensive experience handling maritime injury cases and can provide critical legal support to injured cruise ship workers. Our team can help by:
- Investigating the Incident – We’ll thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your injury to determine liability and gather supporting evidence.
- Providing Legal Advice – We’ll provide general legal advice throughout your case, such as instructing you on what to say and what not to say to your employer or their insurance company. And we’ll guide you through the complexities that can come from claims filed under the Jones Act.
- Calculating Damages – We’ll calculate your economic and non-economic damages with the assistance of medical professionals and financial experts.
- Negotiating with the Insurance Company – We’ll negotiate with your employer’s insurance company for a fair settlement that covers your expenses.
- Representing You at Trial – If the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement, we’ll represent you at trial and seek the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Maritime Knee Injury Attorney
If you suffered a knee injury while working on a cruise ship, maritime law and the Jones Act provide avenues by which you can seek compensation. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., our maritime injury attorneys have the experience needed to file injury claims against even the largest cruise lines and the dedication to follow through with your case.
Contact us online or call our law office at (786) 375-0344 to speak with a maritime injury attorney about your case and to learn more about how our legal team can work for you.
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