United States Seaman Files Maritime Lawsuit Against Seacor Over Chronic Kidney Failure and Neglect
Genica Alane Reyes, a United States resident acting as personal representative for longtime seaman Roberto Andres Sabio Ruiz, has filed a maritime injury lawsuit against American Industrial Partners Corporation, doing business as Seacor Company. The action, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 0:25-cv-61052, alleges egregious neglect of Seacor’s obligations under maritime law, including the Jones Act and its duty to provide maintenance and cure.
Seacor Knew of Chronic Kidney Disease Yet Hired and Re-Hired Plaintiff to Serve as Pumpman on Its Vessels
According to the complaint, Sabio Ruiz, a 66-year-old career seaman and member of the Seafarers International Union, was hired and re-hired by Seacor and its predecessor Seabulk Tankers, Inc., despite documented diagnoses of chronic kidney disease stage four. His medical condition had been revealed during multiple pre-employment physicals required by the union and confirmed by treating physicians. These facts were known to Seacor when it re-employed Ruiz in both 2023 and 2024 aboard its commercial maritime vessels.
Complaint Alleges Seacor Ignored Serious Medical Warnings and Failed to Provide Maintenance and Cure
The complaint outlines that while working at sea, Sabio Ruiz repeatedly sought treatment from the ship’s medical personnel for elevated blood pressure and kidney-related symptoms, including hypertensive episodes that warranted emergency follow-up. Despite these clear indicators, he was returned to duty without further care. His condition deteriorated significantly, culminating in his admission to a skilled nursing facility in Miami-Dade County in November 2024 for dialysis treatment and kidney failure.
Reyes alleges that both Seabulk Tankers, Inc. and Seacor willfully failed to provide medical treatment, refused to investigate his condition, and ignored legal demands for maintenance and cure, even after repeated requests and medical documentation confirmed his worsening health. The lawsuit asserts that had Seacor acted when informed in July 2024 that Ruiz had again signed off its vessel due to kidney complications, his rapid decline might have been prevented.
Employer Faces Allegations of Failing to Fulfill Jones Act Medical Obligations to Shipboard Employee
Under the Jones Act and general maritime law, employers are required to provide prompt and adequate medical treatment to seamen who become ill or injured in service to the vessel. The complaint accuses Seacor of breaching these duties by failing to arrange diagnostics, delaying access to specialists, and completely denying dialysis or any form of treatment—even as Ruiz became incapacitated and reliant on state-funded Medicare support.
Seacor’s alleged refusal to act has forced Ruiz to endure extensive suffering, loss of income, and permanent physical disability. The lawsuit demands damages including past and ongoing maintenance and cure, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and punitive damages for Seacor’s willful failure to comply with its obligations under maritime law.
Contact a Maritime Maintenance and Cure Lawyer Today if You Were Denied Shipboard Medical Care
Seamen working aboard cruise ships, tankers, or commercial vessels are entitled to maintenance and cure if they fall ill or are injured in service to the vessel. If your employer ignored its legal duty to provide medical treatment or failed to respond to your condition, you may be eligible for significant compensation under the Jones Act and maritime law. Contact us today to speak with a maritime injury lawyer and learn how we can help protect your rights.
