Most professionals have the option of bringing a meal from home to eat during a long shift or even leaving during a lunch break to patronize a restaurant. Maritime professionals do not enjoy that luxury. They often rely on the food and water provided by their employers.
Unfortunately, sometimes the nutrition provided by a maritime employer does not adequately meet the needs of the professionals staffing their vessels. In fact, the food could be spoiled, undercooked or contaminated by dangerous pathogens.
In scenarios where maritime workers rely on their employers for meals and fall ill due to food poisoning, their employers may be at least partially liable for the losses that those professionals sustain.
Maritime illness outbreaks are common
When people talk about the sudden outbreak of foodborne illness and the maritime environment, the focus is often on incidents that occur on cruise ships and affect dozens of passengers. However, the same general issues, such as food spoiling, limited access to supplies and cross-contamination, are also issues in the galleys of vessels that primarily feed the workers staffing a ship.
There have been cases of numerous workers falling ill at once due to contaminated fish. Inadequate sanitation and improper refrigeration can also lead to foodborne illnesses that have major implications for maritime professionals.
In scenarios where an employer’s negligence causes foodborne illnesses, maritime professionals may have the right to request maintenance and cure from their employers. Filing a lawsuit seeking compensation for lost wages and medical expenses can help offshore workers negatively impacted by an employer’s failure to provide safe food and water.