Marine insurance applicable to personal injury claims is Protection and Indemnity Coverage (P&I). If a vessel crewman or passenger is injured, they are typically covered by P&I coverage. However, the extent of the vessel owner’s liability is different between a passenger and a crewmember.
A crewmember can recover payment for maintenance and cure, as well as sue to recover personal injury damages against his/her employer. A passenger is not entitled to pursue a claim for maintenance and cure, but can file a lawsuit for negligence. The right of a maritime employee to sue his employer for damages is a major difference between the rights of maritime employees and shore-based employees.