Seafarers injured on duty are entitled to free medical treatment, continued wages during recovery (minimum 16 weeks under MLC 2006), and compensation for permanent disability, with the shipowner bearing all costs regardless of fault. Immediate, thorough documentation (accident report, witness statements, photos, medical records) is the single most important factor in a successful claim, and settlements should never be signed under pressure without independent legal review.
A workplace injury at sea puts you in a uniquely vulnerable position: far from home, dependent on the company for medical access, and facing a claims process that most seafarers have never had to navigate before. Here’s what you’re actually entitled to and how to protect that claim from the moment the injury happens.
What You’re Entitled To
- Free medical treatment — the shipowner bears the full cost, whether treated onboard or ashore
- Continued wages during recovery — MLC 2006 sets a minimum of 16 weeks, often extended by flag state rules or CBA terms
- Compensation for permanent disability, if the injury results in lasting impairment affecting your ability to work at sea
- Repatriation, if the injury requires treatment that can’t be managed onboard or at the nearest port
Immediate Steps After an Injury
- Report it immediately to the Master or your senior officer — don’t wait, even if the injury seems minor at first
- Get it logged in the ship’s official log, in your own words describing exactly what happened
- Photograph the injury and the scene where relevant and safe to do so
- Note witnesses — names and ranks of anyone who saw the incident or its immediate aftermath
- Keep copies of every medical record, prescription, and treatment note, including anything from shore-based treatment
Building a Strong Claim
The strength of a personal injury claim rests heavily on documentation created close to the time of the incident — not reconstructed later from memory. A detailed, contemporaneous account (exact date, time, location, sequence of events, and witnesses) is far harder for a company or insurer to dispute than a vague recollection compiled weeks or months afterward.
Compensation Amounts Vary Significantly
Unlike a fixed schedule, compensation depends on the specific flag state’s laws, your contract terms, any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (particularly ITF-negotiated CBAs, which often specify clear compensation tables for specific types of permanent disability), and the severity of the injury. This variability is exactly why getting genuine legal advice — not just forum opinions — matters once real compensation numbers are being discussed.
Before Accepting Any Settlement
Never sign a settlement offer under pressure or before you have full clarity on your medical prognosis. A company’s initial offer is drafted to limit their liability, not to maximize your compensation. Getting independent legal review — ideally from a maritime lawyer or through your union if you’re a member — before signing anything is a genuinely protective step, not an adversarial one.
Dealing with an injury claim and unsure of your next step? Chat with SailorGPT for guidance, and consult a maritime lawyer for claims involving significant compensation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the very first thing to do after a workplace injury onboard?
Report it immediately to the Master or senior officer, and ensure it's logged in the ship's official log with your own account of exactly how it happened — delayed reporting is one of the most common reasons claims later get disputed or minimized.
Is a seafarer entitled to compensation even if the injury was partly their own fault?
Often yes, at least partially — maritime injury compensation frameworks (unlike some shore-based systems) don't always require proving the employer was entirely at fault. The specific rules depend on flag state law and any applicable CBA, which is exactly why getting genuine legal guidance for a significant claim matters more than assuming you're not covered.
Should a seafarer ever sign a settlement offer without a lawyer reviewing it first?
No, not for anything beyond a minor claim — settlement offers made directly by a company or its insurer are drafted to protect the company, and signing before understanding the full medical prognosis or consulting independent legal advice can mean permanently forfeiting compensation you're genuinely owed.
Part of the Seafarer Rights Guide
Explore all MLC 2006 rights, wage claims, harassment, repatriation, and emergency helplines in the complete guide.
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