The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Does Not Extend the Time Crew Members and Passengers Have To File Their Claims
Very often we receive phone calls from crew members and passengers who had legitimate claims for money compensation against the cruise lines, but waited too long to file their claims in court or arbitration. As a result of the delay, they lost their claims automatically. In the United States, all personal injury claims for money compensation against the cruise lines have a time limit within which they must be filed in court or in arbitration. If the time limit expires, the crew member or the passenger automatically loses his case.
This time limit is called the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for crew members is longer than the statute of limitations for passengers, but not long enough. A severely injured crew member could be receiving medical care for a long time. This medical care does not increase the time the crew member has to file his claim against the cruise line. A severely injured crew member could be waiting at home for the company to re-hire him for a light duty job that never materializes. This does not extend the time he has to file his claim against the cruise line. A severely injured crew member could be at home receiving monthly maintenance payments from the cruise line. This does not extend the time he has to file his claim against the cruise line. Recently, we received a phone call from a crew member who was severely injured because of the gross negligence of the cruise line. He had three back surgeries and will never be able to work again. He could have collected millions of dollars from the cruise line. However, he did not file his claim on time because he thought that the cruise line would be fair with him and help him voluntarily. We could not help him.
Advice for Injured Crew Members
If you were injured while working on a cruise ship, hire a maritime lawyer as soon as you get off the ship. Do not expect the cruise line to be fair and help you voluntarily.
The statute of limitations in passenger cases is extremely and unfairly short. An injured passenger should hire a maritime lawyer as soon as the cruise is over so that he does not lose his claim for money compensation. Recently, we received a phone call from a severely injured passenger. Due to the gross negligence of the cruise line, the passenger suffered two broken legs, and had multiple surgeries for both. This passenger could have collected millions of dollars from the cruise line, but he waited too long. The time he had to file a claim had expired and we could not help him.
Advice for Injured Passengers
Hire a maritime lawyer as soon as the cruise is over. Do not expect the cruise line to be fair and help you voluntarily.
Advice for Injured Crew Members and Passengers
Time goes by very quickly. If you want to be fairly compensated for your injuries, hire a maritime lawyer right away. Do not let the time you have to file your claim expire. Do not expect the cruise line to be fair and help you voluntarily.
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