Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Serving Houston, Texas | Williford Law, PLLC
Maritime Rights for Injured Cruise Ship Workers
If you’re a cruise ship employee injured on the job, you may be entitled to significant compensation under the Jones Act—a powerful federal law that protects seamen and crew members working in U.S. navigable waters or aboard U.S.-owned vessels.
At Williford Law, PLLC, we help injured crew members file Jones Act claims to recover lost wages, medical costs, and damages for pain and suffering. From Houston, Texas, we represent maritime workers nationwide who’ve suffered due to employer negligence or unseaworthy conditions at sea.
What Is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) gives injured seamen the right to sue their employers for personal injury damages when their injury was caused—even in part—by:
- Employer negligence
- Unsafe work conditions
- Defective equipment
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Overworking or understaffing
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation laws, the Jones Act allows full compensation, including for non-economic losses like pain and emotional distress.
Who Qualifies as a “Seaman” Under the Jones Act?
To be covered under the Jones Act, a crew member must:
- Work at least 30% of their time aboard a vessel in navigation
- Contribute to the function or mission of the vessel
- Have an employment relationship with the shipowner or operator
This includes waitstaff, engineers, kitchen crew, cleaners, deckhands, entertainers, maintenance workers, and other cruise ship personnel.
Common Cruise Ship Jones Act Claims
| Type of Claim | Examples |
| Unsafe work conditions | Slippery decks, poor lighting, broken stairwells |
| Equipment or machinery failure | Malfunctioning lifts, galley fires, and engine room explosions |
| Lack of training or supervision | Accidents due to inexperience, improper instruction |
| Assaults by coworkers or passengers | Failure to provide a safe working environment |
| Overexertion and fatigue injuries | Long hours, inadequate breaks, physical strain |
| Failure to provide medical treatment | Delay in evacuation, untrained shipboard medical staff |
Your Legal Rights Under the Jones Act
Injured cruise ship workers are entitled to:
- Maintenance – Daily living expenses while recovering
- Cure – All necessary medical treatment
- Unearned wages – Pay owed through the end of your contract
- Additional damages – For employer negligence or unsafe conditions
- Right to jury trial – You may file your claim in a U.S. federal or state court
Cruise lines often pressure crew members to settle for less than they’re owed. At Williford Law, we hold them fully accountable.
How to Protect Your Rights After an Onboard Injury
- Report the injury immediately to your supervisor and request documentation
- Seek prompt medical attention—on the ship and again when you reach land
- Do not sign a release form or statement without legal advice
- Document everything—photos of the scene, witness names, injury progression
- Contact a Jones Act lawyer who knows cruise ship injury law
Why Jones Act Claims Require Legal Counsel
Maritime law is complex, and cruise lines are backed by teams of attorneys. Filing a Jones Act claim without legal help can result in:
- Lost compensation
- Missed deadlines
- Jurisdictional traps (e.g., forced arbitration clauses)
- Denial of valid claims based on technicalities
At Williford Law, PLLC, we aggressively fight back—and you don’t pay unless we win.
Time Limits for Filing a Jones Act Claim
- Statute of limitations: You must file within 3 years from the date of injury
- Shorter limits may apply under foreign-flagged cruise lines or employment contracts
- Delays can jeopardize your ability to recover damages
We take swift action to preserve your rights, secure evidence, and file in the proper jurisdiction.
Choose Williford Law, PLLC to Represent You
- Experienced in maritime injury and Jones Act litigation
- Aggressive negotiation and trial strategies
- Serving clients in Houston, across Texas, and nationwide
- Contingency fee representation — no fees unless we recover for you
