Cruise Ship Lawyer Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under U.S. maritime law, which federal statute primarily governs personal injury claims by seafarers against their employers?
- The Jones Act (Correct answer)
- The Death on the High Seas Act
- The Longshore Act
- The Limitation of Liability Act
Correct answer: The Jones Act
The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) allows seamen to sue employers for negligence.
Question 2: A passenger slips on a cruise ship deck. What legal duty does the cruise line owe its passengers?
- Reasonable care under the circumstances (Correct answer)
- Strict liability for all injuries
- No duty once aboard
- Only a duty to warn of fire
Correct answer: Reasonable care under the circumstances
Cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances of the voyage.
Question 3: Most cruise tickets require passengers to file suit within how long after an injury?
- One year (Correct answer)
- Six years
- Ten years
- Thirty days
Correct answer: One year
Cruise contracts commonly impose a one-year limitations period for injury claims.
Question 4: What contractual clause typically dictates WHERE a passenger must sue a cruise line?
- Forum-selection clause (Correct answer)
- Indemnity clause
- Force majeure clause
- Arbitration waiver
Correct answer: Forum-selection clause
A forum-selection clause designates the court or jurisdiction where disputes must be filed.
Question 5: The legal doctrine 'maintenance and cure' obligates a shipowner to provide what to an injured seaman?
- Living expenses and medical care until maximum recovery (Correct answer)
- Lifetime salary
- A new job ashore
- Punitive damages automatically
Correct answer: Living expenses and medical care until maximum recovery
Maintenance and cure covers a seaman's daily living costs and medical treatment until maximum medical improvement.
Question 6: Which body of law generally applies to incidents occurring on navigable waters, including cruise ships?
- Admiralty (maritime) law (Correct answer)
- Probate law
- Tax law
- Patent law
Correct answer: Admiralty (maritime) law
Admiralty or maritime law governs activities and incidents on navigable waters.
Question 7: A cruise line tries to limit its total liability to the value of the vessel after a disaster. Which law allows this?
- Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 (Correct answer)
- Sherman Antitrust Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- The Hague Convention
Correct answer: Limitation of Liability Act of 1851
The Limitation of Liability Act lets shipowners cap liability at the vessel's post-incident value if without privity.
Cruise Ship Lawyer Fundamentals 2
Under U.S. maritime law, which federal statute primarily governs personal injury claims by seafarers against their employers?