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Nov
2023

Do I Need a Lawyer If I Was Injured on a Cruise Ship?

on  Maritime Accidents

Yes! You need a lawyer if you suffer an injury on a cruise ship. Why? Because cruise lines are large corporations with deep pockets. They employ large legal teams and insurance companies who fight aggressively to reduce their liabilities. You deserve someone on your side who can fight back and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. 

Do you know what to do after you suffer an injury on a cruise ship? Your first step should be to contact an experienced Florida cruise ship accident attorney. Your lawyer can examine your incident and determine if you have a case. The cruise ship injury lawyers at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys offer a free consultation to help you explore your legal options. So you have nothing to lose by contacting us! 

How Common Are Injuries on Cruise Ships in Florida

If you’re going on a cruise, your ship might leave from Florida. That’s because Florida has more cruise ports than any other state. There are five major cruise ship ports in Florida, including Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral. The Port of Miami is even known as the “Cruising Capital of the World.” 

Cruises are generally fun and exciting experiences that bring you to parts of the world you might never have gone to. However, they’re all extremely large floating cities where accidents occur more often than you may think. From food poisoning to assault, cruise ship injuries are common. One study found that 663 injuries occurred on cruise ships during a three-year period. Most injuries (65.3%) occurred onboard in cabins and bathrooms, and open wounds were the most common injury type. 

Types of Injuries Suffered

On a cruise ship, you can suffer an injury at any time. From participating in water sports to slipping and falling on a wet deck, there are many causes of cruise ship accidents and injuries. These injuries can cause significant impairment and a lifetime of pain and suffering, especially if not treated quickly or properly.

The most common injuries on cruise ships include:

  • Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
  • Spinal injuries, including partial and total paralysis
  • Illnesses such as food poisoning and bacterial illnesses
  • Amputations, burns, disfigurement
  • Traumatic brain injury and other brain injuries
  • Broken or crushed bones
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Injuries caused by partial drowning or death by drowning

Why Do I Need an Attorney After a Cruise Ship Injury?

First and foremost, a cruise ship injury attorney is your legal advocate. Your injury and accident will likely fall under maritime law. This is a complex and niche area of law that is best handled by an experienced cruise ship lawyer. Hiring an attorney to investigate your case and explore options frees you up to focus on your recovery and rebuilding your life after a cruise ship accident. 

Your lawyer will know the ins and outs of cruise ship injury law, and they’re there to protect your rights. They’ll investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong argument on your behalf. Whether you’re dealing with a slip and fall, medical negligence, or any other type of injury, they’ve got your back.

Time is of the essence when it comes to cruise ship injury claims. There are specific deadlines and statutes of limitations that must be adhered to. Your attorney will ensure all necessary paperwork is filed on time so that you can obtain the compensation you need to recover fully.

Potential obstacles often arise in maritime law cases, such as the cruise line’s attempts to limit liability or deny responsibility. Your cruise ship accident attorney will know how to counter these challenges and work diligently to protect your rights.

Your attorney can hold negligent cruise lines, operators, and crew members accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Without a lawyer on your side, the cruise line might try to pin some – or all – of the blame back on you. Your cruise ship accident attorney won’t let that happen. 

Your Attorney Can Hold Cruise Lines Liable

Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their passengers. When you step on board, you become their responsibility. This means they must take reasonable measures to prevent accidents and injuries. They should maintain a safe environment, properly train their staff, and have protocols in place for emergencies.

Cruise lines are businesses. Like most businesses, their main goal is to make money and protect their bottom line. That means they might try to avoid liability when accidents occur. 

Make no mistake: cruise lines make it challenging for passengers to seek compensation after a cruise ship accident.

They can do this in many ways, but the most common tactic is to include contract clauses that limit their liability. When you sign your cruise ship contract, you enter into an agreement with the cruise lines. Sometimes these contracts include clauses that require you to file your claim in a specific court or within a tight timeframe. 

Contacts are tricky, and the cruise line will lean on this contract to reduce its liabilities. You need to hire a lawyer to examine your contract and how you can fight back against the cruise line when an accident occurs due to negligence. 

From the cruise line’s point of view, they’ll often argue that they took all reasonable steps to ensure passenger safety. They might claim that the accident was caused by your own negligence, like not following safety instructions or being reckless.

They can also try to shift blame onto third parties, like contractors or other passengers. This is all part of protecting their interests and minimizing their liability.

This is why you need to hire a skilled cruise ship injury attorney after your accident. Your attorney will know how to counter these defenses effectively.

They’ll investigate the incident thoroughly, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to establish the cruise line’s negligence. Your attorney will build a strong case to demonstrate that the cruise line failed in its duty to provide a safe environment. If necessary, they can file an injury lawsuit against the cruise line. They’ll work tirelessly to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Florida Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love suffered an injury on a cruise ship, we can help. Our law firm is unafraid to go up against large cruise lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Attorney Prosper Shaked goes the extra mile to ensure you and your family get what you deserve after suffering a serious injury on a cruise ship. 

When you contact our law firm, you can rest easier knowing you have someone on your side who cares about you and your future. Let Prosper Shaked help you through this difficult time. Call us for a FREE consultation and review of your case at 305-694-2676 or fill out our confidential contact form.