Luxury yacht owners depriving workers of Jones Act rights overseas

In an all too familiar story, a U.S. based luxury yacht allegedly refused to give Jones Act rights to an injured crewmember hurt overseas.

Hollie Sault was a stewardess aboard the Home Stretch in Costa Rica when she was severely injured, states her lawsuit against Medical Capital Holdings, the vessel owner. She reportedly fell down a flight of stairs that were poorly lit because the overhead lights were burned out.

Her suit charges Medical Capital with trying to force her to sign her rights away so that she could see a doctor in Cabo, Mexico.

Boating attorney Bill Turley said this action is a “recurring theme” of yacht owners who refuse to follow U.S. laws when in exotic ports. 

Moreover, the SEC has sued Medical Capital for an alleged Ponzi scheme in which it ripped off investors by funneling millions of dollars into non-medical investments such as the $4.5 million yacht.

Sault’s suit was initially halted when a California court granted the Defendant’s Motion to Stay. However, a U.S. District Court has since granted her request to proceed under a Motion for Relief from Preliminary Injunction.

Source: KCBD.com