Under United States law, a shipowner must pay a seaman all wages in full at the end of a voyage unless the parties have agreed to other payment terms in writing.
Failure to pay as required may subject the shipowner or maritime employer to a penalty of two days’ wages for each day payment is delayed. If a shipowner establishes sufficient cause for failure to pay, then no penalty wages are owed.
If you have worked as a crew member and not been paid what you are owed for your work, you may be entitled to recover not only your wages but also two days’ penalty wages for each day of nonpayment. Mase Mebane has broad experience handling wage claims, and our maritime trial attorneys in Miami, Florida, can help you determine whether you are owed wages and, if so, whether you are also entitled to penalty wages and other damages for nonpayment.
Back to Crewmember Accidents