Maritime Attorney Serving Houston, Texas | Williford Law, PLLC
Protecting the Rights of Injured Cruise Ship Employees
Cruise ship crew members work long hours in physically demanding, often hazardous conditions—serving passengers, maintaining operations, and responding to emergencies. When crew members are injured on the job, they are entitled to legal protection under federal maritime law, including the Jones Act and general maritime doctrine.
At Williford Law, PLLC, we represent injured crew members throughout Houston, Texas, and nationwide. If you were hurt while working aboard a cruise ship, we can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Common Types of Crew Member Injuries on Cruise Ships
| Type of Injury | Cause | Examples |
| Slip, trip, and fall injuries | Wet decks, narrow stairwells, unsecured equipment | Sprains, fractures, back injuries |
| Repetitive stress or overexertion | Lifting luggage, cleaning cabins, kitchen duties | Tendonitis, herniated discs, chronic pain |
| Burns or scalding injuries | Kitchen accidents, machinery failure, steam pipe exposure | Skin grafts, permanent scarring, hospitalization |
| Assaults or violence | Attacks by other crew or passengers, lack of security | Head trauma, PTSD, emotional distress |
| Exposure to toxic substances | Cleaning agents, fuel, mold in cabins | Respiratory damage, chemical burns |
| Equipment or machinery accidents | Malfunctioning elevators, tender boats, engine rooms | Crush injuries, amputations, wrongful death |
Your Rights Under Maritime Law
Injured crew members may have the right to recover damages under:
- The Jones Act – Provides compensation if your employer was negligent
- Maintenance and Cure – Requires cruise lines to pay living expenses and medical care after injury
- Unseaworthiness Doctrine – Holds employers liable for unsafe working conditions, faulty equipment, or lack of safety gear
- Retaliation Claims – Protects workers who report unsafe conditions or file injury claims
Cruise lines often act quickly to protect their interests. You need a legal advocate who acts just as fast to protect yours.
What Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know
- You do not have to accept the cruise line’s settlement offer without legal advice.
- You can choose your doctor, not just the one they assign.
- You may be entitled to more than just maintenance and cure, including full lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care.
- Retaliating against injured crew—firing or demoting you—is illegal under maritime law.
What to Do After a Crew Injury
- Report the injury to your supervisor and request written documentation
- Seek immediate medical care—onboard or upon docking
- Do not sign any release forms or statements without legal counsel
- Keep records of everything: medical bills, conversations, time off, photos of hazards
- Contact a maritime injury attorney with experience in cruise ship claims
Compensation Available for Injured Crew Members
You may be entitled to:
- Full payment of medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Maintenance payments while you’re unable to work
- Lost wages, including future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages if the employer acted with recklessness or gross negligence
Time Limits for Filing a Jones Act or Maritime Claim
- Under the Jones Act, you generally have 3 years from the date of injury to file a claim
- Other deadlines may apply if the cruise line tries to force arbitration or apply foreign law
- Prompt legal action is critical to preserve your rights and evidence
Why Choose Williford Law, PLLC?
- We handle complex maritime and crew member injury claims
- We’re based in Texas and serve clients in [city] and nationwide
- We fight cruise lines and their insurers aggressively to maximize your recovery
- No upfront fees — you don’t pay unless we win
