SR. MANAGER, CREW CLAIMS & LITIGATION

Date Posted: 9/24/2019

About Us

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. comprises six distinctive companies that share a vision anchored in excellence. We have a common passion for creative thinking, innovative engineering and outstanding guest service that drives continuous improvement in everything we do. The entire Royal Caribbean family is committed to the legacy of hospitality and culture of innovation that is at the core of our guest service, the protection of our natural environment and responsible citizenship in our global community.

Job Description

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for assisting with the oversight of pre-litigation and litigation claims against all brands. Provides day-to-day legal guidance and support to the Crew Medical Department, closely working with them to ensure compliance with the company’s maintenance and cure obligations under general maritime law and the terms set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreements. This position is also responsible for providing legal support to the Injury Prevention, Security and other departments within the corporation concerning issues relating to crew claims or other related matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the Director, Crew Claims & Litigation with the oversight of crew claims and crew litigation matters for all brands. 
2. Provides guidance and instruction to adjusters in evaluating and negotiating claims for pre-suit settlement discussions directly with claimants and claimant’s attorneys for all brands. 
3. Provide instruction to claims adjusters and individuals within the crew medical department regarding crewmembers’ entitlements to maintenance and cure benefits and disability benefits in accordance with general maritime law, collective bargaining agreements and other laws. 
4. Work with crew medical case managers to identify claims that may be suitable for direct settlement with crew members, in order to negotiate settlement prior to the crewmember’s retaining of legal representation. 
5. Provide oversight of the Company’s Workers’ Compensation claims, as well as claims arising from the FIU Dance Studio.
6. Responsible for assisting with the management of outside legal counsel and provides guidance regarding case management on crewmember cases in litigation. 
7. Serve as the company’s corporate representative at trials, arbitrations and depositions; testifies on behalf of the company regarding the company’s policies, procedures, and actions relating to hiring practices, pre-employment medical examinations, shipboard training, disciplinary processes, investigations of accidents and incidents, and the provision/administration of maintenance and cure benefits. 
8. Provide litigation support to internal and external legal counsel with discovery, investigation, and trial preparation.
9. Attend conferences with insurance companies and P&I Clubs to analyze claims for accurate reserve setting and discuss litigation strategies for claims.  Conduct trend analysis, evaluations of loss history, identification of liabilities and/or potential risk recurrence, and works in an advisory role with other departments, such as Safety and Security to recommend risk and loss prevention measures. 
10. Partners with management in other departments within the organization to create and implement policies/best practices in order to reduce the potential for claims and litigation presented by crewmember incidents, accidents, and medical conditions.
11. Performs other duties as required.  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D. degree from an accredited law school is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years legal experience in the field of Admiralty Law and Employment/Labor Law.
• Passed the Florida Bar Examination. 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must be able to travel both domestically and internationally to conduct ship inspections, attend settlement conferences, and for other circumstances that may arise. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Effectively articulate the company’s position when testifying as the corporate representative.
• Extensive knowledge of the General Maritime law, Admiralty law, and employment law. 
• Must have strong negotiation, facilitation and consultative skills with the ability to interact effectively with all internal and external business partners. 
• Requires effective and efficient communication skills to resolve disputes and facilitate case management. 
• Ability to articulate verbally and in writing as negotiator and presenter. 
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Outlook, and RCL-specific programs such as Riskonnect and SeaCare. 

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. RCL and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

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