Indian Cruise Worker Sues Margaritaville at Sea for Failing to Provide Medical Care and Maintenance After Onboard Illness
Pinki Borkar, a 44-year-old citizen of India, has filed a maritime lawsuit in the Middle District of Florida against Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. Inc., doing business as Margaritaville at Sea. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 6:25-cv-00899-WWB-RMN, stems from Borkar’s alleged wrongful termination and denial of essential medical care, wages, and benefits after he fell ill while working aboard one of the company’s cruise ships.
Cruise Ship Employee Alleges He Was Denied Maintenance, Medical Treatment, and Repatriated Without Support
According to the complaint, Borkar was employed as a client services associate aboard one of Margaritaville’s cruise vessels in 2025. During a voyage in early March, Borkar was accused by his supervisors of stealing casino chips—a claim he vehemently denies. Over the course of a four-day internal investigation, Borkar reportedly began suffering severe chest pain, which he attributes to stress induced by the ordeal.
Despite visiting the ship’s infirmary twice with what he described as unbearable pain, Borkar alleges he was not given meaningful medical care aboard the vessel. On March 16, 2025, he was terminated and repatriated to India at his own expense—without receiving continued medical treatment or the financial maintenance and cure guaranteed under maritime law for seamen injured or taken ill during service.
Lawsuit Accuses Margaritaville at Sea of Failing to Fulfill Legal Duty to Provide Maintenance and Cure for Ill Seafarer
The lawsuit centers on Margaritaville at Sea’s alleged failure to provide maintenance and cure—a well-established maritime obligation requiring shipowners to pay for medical care and living expenses for injured or ill crew members. After returning to India, Borkar sought medical attention independently and was diagnosed with fibroid tumors in his chest, the cause of the symptoms he experienced aboard the ship. These tumors now require surgical intervention, and Borkar asserts that the cruise line continues to ignore his entitlement to medical treatment and compensation.
Though a third-party medical agency affiliated with the cruise line contacted Borkar one month after his repatriation, he contends that no wages, reimbursements, or support for ongoing care have been provided. His legal team argues that the cruise line’s failure to respond adequately to his condition and to pay owed maintenance has caused his condition to worsen unnecessarily, resulting in prolonged pain, financial hardship, and emotional distress.
Complaint Seeks Compensation for Medical Neglect, Lost Wages, and Punitive Damages Under Maritime Law
Borkar is seeking a range of damages, including unpaid maintenance from the date of his termination, unearned wages, compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, physical suffering, and future loss of earnings. He also requests punitive damages, asserting that Margaritaville at Sea acted willfully and callously by ignoring his medical needs and contractual rights as a seaman. His complaint alleges that the cruise operator delayed and denied essential diagnostic testing, failed to engage appropriate medical specialists, and refused to cover even basic costs until he retained legal counsel.
The lawsuit argues that Borkar has not reached maximum medical improvement due to the cruise line’s continued failure to uphold its duties, leaving him with worsening symptoms and ongoing physical and emotional damage.
Cruise Ship Employees May Be Entitled to Compensation if Denied Maintenance, Medical Care, or Repatriated Improperly
Seamen working aboard cruise vessels are protected under the Jones Act and general maritime law, which provide strong legal remedies for crew members who are denied necessary medical care or financial maintenance. Employers like Margaritaville at Sea have a legal obligation to treat crew members with fairness and to cover medical expenses and wages when workers fall ill or are injured on duty. If you or a loved one has been denied maintenance and cure or wrongfully repatriated without proper support, legal action may be warranted.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship crew injury attorney about your rights.
