If you suffered any injures or caught a serious disease on a cruise ship, you could have legal recourse and might be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and your suffering.
There can be many different types of accidents on a cruise ship, including slip and falls due to tripping hazards and spills. Outbreaks of illnesses, such as COVID-19, can lead to severe health implications for victims, including death. Passengers can also suffer from extensive injuries, or die, when a ship has a disastrous accident, such as a grounding, collision, or large-scale fire. Occasionally, passengers fall overboard a cruise ship. Accidents can also happen in any of the cruise ships’ amenities such as the pool, gym, or climbing walls, potentially resulting in serious and life-changing injuries.
If you suffered injuries in a cruise ship accident that was not your fault, for example, if you hurt yourself on a faulty piece of equipment or broke a bone from slipping on a wet floor, you could have legal recourse. However, filing a claim against a cruise line can be challenging. With an accident at sea, maritime laws may apply that can complicate any personal injury or wrongful death claims. A cruise ship injuries lawyer can help determine whether you have a case.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free case review at (800) 917-8989.
Are Cruise Lines Responsible for Passengers’ Injuries?
Generally, a cruise line may be responsible for your injuries if you are able to prove that the injuries happened due to the cruise line’s negligence. The cruise lines, including the captain and crew on a ship, owe a duty of care to passengers. If the duty is breached and this breach caused your accident and injuries, you may have a case against the cruise line.
You could also potentially have a case against other liable parties, for example, a charter company, ticketing agency, or a third-party operator such as an onshore tour agency working with the cruise line.
Types of accidents where a cruise ship may have been negligent can include:
- Slips and falls on deck
- Swimming pool accidents
- Infectious diseases
- Accidents while on a cruise line shore trip
- Gangway or tender boat accidents
- Food poisoning
- Physical or sexual assault by crewmembers
- Falling overboard
- Injuries suffered in catastrophic events such as a grounding or fire
A cruise line or staff can be negligent in many ways. Staff may not mop up spills promptly or remove tripping hazards such as cables on the floor, causing a slip and fall accident.
There may be inadequate maintenance of equipment in passengers’ common areas and amenities, which can result in an accident. When exiting the ship, the gangway can be too steep, faulty, or slippery. Getting on a tender boat in rough weather can also be dangerous for passengers.
If cruise line oversight or staff negligence contributed to your illness or injury, you could potentially hold the cruise line responsible for your damages, such as medical bills and others. In practice, it can be tricky to hold a cruise line to account with a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, as different laws and regulations come into effect on the high seas.
United States law does not always apply. You may not understand what your options are and how to get justice by holding a cruise line responsible for your injuries.
Since there are a number of variables when it comes to cruise ship liability with personal injury and wrongful death cases, it can be helpful for you to consult with a cruise ship injury lawyer. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can advise you on your legal options for holding a cruise line to account and can fight for you in court. Call us today for a free consultation to determine whether you have a case.
A cruise line can be responsible for passengers’ injuries if they acted negligently in causing or contributing to an accident. A cruise line has a number of responsibilities towards passengers, including ensuring that any ship machinery and equipment is seaworthy. The crew must be adequately trained and qualified to perform their job functions. The decks and common areas should be free of hazards.
If you suffered injuries while on a cruise and can prove that the cruise line’s negligence contributed to or caused your or your loved one’s injuries or death, you might be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the cruise line.
In a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you could recover compensation for your medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and other economic damages. Depending on your case, you could also receive compensation for any noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering or loss of life enjoyment.
Contacting a cruise ship lawyer can be a good way to find out how to get justice and compensation if you have suffered any injuries due to negligence on a cruise ship.
Proving Your Case
Having an accident on a cruise ship and getting injured is not necessarily the cruise line’s or cruise staff’s fault. However, in certain cases, a cruise line is responsible for passengers’ injuries. In order to have a chance of recovering any compensation in a cruise ship accident, you will have to prove that the cruise line was negligent. Some of the ways in which a cruise line could potentially be liable include, among others:
- Lack of handrails
- Debris such as food and beverages spilled on floors
- Uneven or damaged carpeting
- Tripping hazards such as cleaning utensils or cables in common areas
- Inadequate and defective lighting
- No warning signs for steps, thresholds, and wet floors
The cruise line, including the captain and staff, have the overall responsibility to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers. Furthermore, in order to have a case against a cruise line, you will have to prove the following elements:
- The cruise line owes you a duty of care.
- The duty of care was breached.
- Your injuries are a result of that breach.
- Your damages carry a dollar value.
You Can Hold a Cruise Line Responsible for Your Injuries
While slips and falls onboard and ashore are some of the more common accidents on cruise ship vacations, according to International Maritime Health, there can be many other accidents and injuries that a cruise line could be responsible for.
Potentially, a cruise line could be held liable for any injuries happening in their pools or other amenities due to faulty equipment, lack of maintenance, or other reasons. A cruise line could also be responsible for any accidents with tender boats or involving the gangway. If the ship is lacking proper hygiene and cleanliness procedures, the cruise line could potentially also be held to account for the spreading of infectious diseases such as norovirus, foodborne pathogens, or respiratory infections such as influenza and coronavirus.
While a cruise line likely will fight any such claims vigorously, having a cruise ship lawyer by your side can help you through the complicated aspects of taking a cruise line to court.
What Are Common Cruise Ship Injuries?
Cruise ship accidents and injuries can occur in many different situations, such as a rolling ship in bad weather, mechanical failure, material defects, lack of food hygiene, and failure to maintain common areas, among many others.
According to a three-year study of cruise ships, published in a journal called International Maritime Health, most victims suffered slip and fall injuries on the ship and onshore. Almost 50% of injuries aboard were slips and falls. Onshore, slips and falls counted for almost 70% of accidents. Other accidents and injuries seen on cruise ships can include:
Fractures and Bone Breaks
With slips and falls, or elevator injuries, passengers on cruise ships can suffer extensive injuries such as fractures and head traumas. The cruise line is responsible for keeping common areas free of tripping hazards and spills to minimize the risk of falls.
Drownings
Unfortunately, pool accidents and drownings can happen on cruise ships. Inadequate maintenance of facilities or faulty equipment can be to blame.
Food Poisoning
If galley and wait staff do not observe adequate hygiene and safe handling of food, passengers can suffer from foodborne illnesses. Food poisoning can have serious consequences, particularly for the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Infectious disease outbreaks affecting many passengers can occur with a lack of hygiene and cleanliness. Serious diseases can spread like wildfire if staff fails to isolate and quarantine passengers effectively, such as what we have seen with COVID-19 outbreaks on ships recently.
Medical Malpractice
Cruise ships typically have a medical facility and doctor on board. However, the medical personnel onboard may lack qualifications and training, and may not even be licensed to work in the United States. Injuries or medical conditions can be misdiagnosed and treated inappropriately, potentially leading to injury, worsening conditions, and death.
There can be many other accidents and injuries on cruise ships. Potentially, a cruise ship can be a dangerous place with toxic chemicals on board, as well as an incinerator. Sailing on the high seas is not without dangers as collisions and groundings, although thankfully infrequent, can happen any time.
Suffering any serious injuries or illnesses on what should have been a pleasurable vacation can be frustrating and upsetting, especially when the accident occurred through cruise line negligence. If you are thinking of holding a cruise line to account for your injuries or your loved one’s death, do not waste valuable time and contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to see how a cruise ship injuries lawyer can help you.
Other types of cruise ship injuries
Incidents seen on cruise ships can result in a variety of injuries to passengers. A ship can suffer from any of these problems:
- Technical failure
- Bad weather
- Fires
- Collisions
- Lack of safe food handling
- Lack of cleanliness and hygiene
- Inadequate infection control
This, together with the possibilities of accidents during excursions, can lead to various injuries, for example, bone fractures, concussions, spine injuries, organ damage, and others. Infections can also easily spread on cruise ships, including the coronavirus.
If you have suffered an injury on a cruise, you could potentially recover compensation for medical bills and other related costs.
For a free legal consultation with a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Lawyer serving nationwide, call (800) 917-8989
Can You Sue if You Are Injured on a Cruise Ship?
You might be able to sue a cruise line for any damages that you incurred with an injury, as long as you can prove that the cruise line, staff, or a third party acted negligently. This negligence must have contributed to or caused your accident and injuries, as well as your damages.
However, the cruise lines, in an effort to deter any claims, try to make it difficult for passengers to sue them. Passengers typically sign a ticket contract with the cruise line, which includes waivers for liability in the event of any untoward circumstances or accidents onboard. While this can make it harder for you to initiate legal action, the contracts do not always stand up in a court of law.
The cruise line most likely will also include a clause about a statute of limitations in their ticket contract, shortening the amount of time that you can file suit. In addition, passengers may have to give the cruise line notice of intended legal action within six months of the injury.
Jurisdiction to file a claim can also add to the complexities, as it can depend on which flag a cruise ship sails under. United States Maritime Law, as well as other local and international laws, may also apply. However, despite these potential complications and pitfalls, you could still be able to successfully sue a cruise line.
Under the Shipping Act of 1984, cruise ships have a heightened responsibility to keep passengers safe. If they neglected that responsibility, you might have a case.
Generally, in order to have a personal injury or wrongful death case, you will have to prove the following elements:
- The cruise line owed you a duty of care.
- The duty of care was breached.
- You suffered injuries or the death of your loved one due to the breach.
- The injuries or death caused financial damages.
You can review the ticket contract you signed with the cruise line and find out which time limit applies to your case as a good first step.
Do not forget that help is available. A lawyer who knows the laws around cruise ships can assist you with proving negligence and building a case on your behalf.
However, do not hesitate or wait too long if you suffered injuries in an accident on a cruise ship. It can be in your best interests to act quickly if you intend to sue, giving your lawyer time to research your case, and ensuring that you are well within any deadlines set by your ticket contract.
If you or a loved one suffered any injuries in a cruise ship accident, you could potentially sue and receive compensation for your injuries and expenses related to any injuries. However, you do not necessarily have legal recourse just because an accident happened, you suffered injuries, and incurred medical expenses.
Generally, you can sue if you are injured on a cruise ship, but you will have to prove that the cruise line was negligent, and that this negligence contributed to or caused your accident, your injuries, and any monetary damages you incurred.
Accidents on Cruise Ships
There can be many risks potentially leading to accidents, injuries, and diseases on cruise ships. Living in close quarters and eating buffet-style food can contribute to any respiratory or foodborne diseases spreading unchecked on a cruise ship, particularly when hygiene and cleanliness on board are lacking.
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common cruise ship accidents, according to International Maritime Health. This is hardly surprising when you consider that decks can be wet and slippery from rain or spilled beverages.
Occasionally, more dramatic accidents happen on cruise ships, leading to catastrophic injuries and deaths of passengers. We would rather not think about it when we board a beautiful ship with all of its pools, glitzy bars, and numerous amenities, but cruise ships can and do sink. Cruise ships can also ground or suffer from large-scale fires and collisions. From 1972 to 2011, almost 100 cruise ships have run aground, according to the New York Times.
While some of these accidents can be merely inconvenient to passengers, causing their vacation to end abruptly, some accidents do come with considerable loss of life. 32 passengers died when the Costa Concordia cruise ship sank off the coast of Italy in 2012.
All travel arguably comes with risk and often the travelers acknowledge that accidents can and will happen for various reasons. However, you can potentially sue if you are injured on a cruise ship if your accident happened due to negligence of a cruise line or third party.
Suing a Cruise Line
Even if you can prove that your accident happened due to negligence of the cruise line, you could face an uphill battle trying to sue. Cruise lines have become skillful in evading responsibility for any accidents or untoward circumstances on their ships, by issuing passengers with a contract when selling a ticket. This contract releases the cruise line from a number of liabilities in the event of any accidents and disasters.
Passengers automatically accept these contracts when they buy a ticket. You can usually find the details of the contract in the small print on your ticket. Unfortunately, the contracts can be notoriously restrictive and curtail the rights of passengers who want to seek compensation for their injuries. They can also be lengthy and complicated to read.
Unfortunately, the laws are also not exactly working in favor of any plaintiffs searching for justice and compensation. The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, to name just one example of international maritime law, can limit the claims of plaintiffs in wrongful death and injury cases against a cruise line or vessel operator. Although many ships are owned by U.S. companies, they can be registered in somewhat exotic nations where United States law does not apply.
Notwithstanding all this, you might still be able to sue if you are injured on a cruise ship. Cruise ship personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits can be successful. The key to suing a cruise line is knowing the applicable laws and how to prove negligence. A cruise ship lawyer can help with this and determine whether you have a case against a cruise line.
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How to File a Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit
Filing a cruise ship injury lawsuit can be quite different from filing a land-based personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, suing a cruise line for personal injury or wrongful death is certainly possible and can be successful if you can prove that a cruise line’s negligence caused your illness or injuries or your loved one’s death.
The Death On The High Seas Act (DOHSA) 46 U.S. Code CHAPTER 303 can give some protection to families that lost a loved one due to cruise ship negligence. DOHSA gives families the right to file suit for compensation, even if the accident took place in international waters.
You have the option of consulting a cruise ship injuries lawyer first and as soon as possible after the injury occurred. Bear in mind that you may have only limited time for any legal action. Your ticket contract should state the time limit of your potential lawsuit.
The cruise line will most likely try to make it as difficult as possible for you to recover any compensation, and they can fight any claims and lawsuits with a team of lawyers. A lawyer knows the laws that apply in these cases and can help you make an informed decision, as well as fight for your rights and compensation, and represent you in court.
The ticket contract you signed with the cruise line does not only state a time limit for any legal action, but it typically also states the city in which you will have to bring forward a lawsuit. Many of the bigger cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess Cruise Lines, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and others, demand that you file lawsuits in federal court in Miami, Florida.
Taking timely action can be pivotal. Your case could potentially be dismissed if you do not file your lawsuit within the specified time as stated in the ticket contract, or you do not file in the correct city and at the specified venue. Hiring a lawyer that handles cruise ship cases can be helpful in filing a lawsuit against a cruise line correctly.
Having an accident on a cruise ship can be frustrating and upsetting. Not only can it ruin your dream vacation, but you might now also have a mountain of medical bills and other expenses to deal with. Perhaps you were even confined to a ship with an infectious disease or injury for days without adequate medical treatment and care, worsening your condition. You may now be thinking about how to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit to recover some of your losses.
Generally, the contract you signed with your cruise line on commencing your vacation, which is usually printed on your ticket, will tell you where and how you can file a lawsuit. It will also most likely tell you about any time limits. Cruise lines can try to limit the timeframe for any injury lawsuits and they may state certain waivers for liability in their ticket contracts.
Nevertheless, even if you possibly waived certain rights by signing the ticket contract, you would most likely still be able to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit if you can prove negligence of the cruise line. Your best course of action can be to connect with a lawyer.
Cruise Ship Accidents
Unfortunately, accidents on cruise ships are not rare. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) in 2017 alone, marine accidents killed almost 1,200 people and resulted in over $197 million in insurance losses. 1,087 of the deaths occurred on passenger vessels. If a loved one died in a cruise ship accident, you could have legal recourse, and could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit.
In most cases, fortunately, accidents are not tragic and can often involve slips and falls. International Maritime Health Association found that over a three-year period, by far the most common cruise ship accidents were falls. While slips and falls in some instances may not cause more than a bruise and a few scratches, they do have the potential to cause serious injuries such as fractures and concussions. A severe fall can result in permanent injury and disability. In these cases, if the cruise line acted negligently and failed to keep the premises safe, you could file a cruise ship injury lawsuit and recover compensation.
Your Legal Options
You may be able to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit if you can prove that your accident and injuries happened due to negligence of the cruise line, operator of the vessel, or staff. You could also potentially file a lawsuit against a third party in connection with your cruise accident, such as a ticket agent or tour operator.
As a general rule, you will have to prove that the liable party had a duty of care towards you, that they breached this duty of care, and that your accident and injuries were a direct result of the breach in duty. Generally, you will also have to prove that you have monetary damages from any injuries. Similar principles apply if you are looking to file a wrongful death suit after losing a loved one in a cruise ship accident.
Filing a cruise ship lawsuit can have some important differences and complications when compared to other personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. It can, therefore, be helpful to consult with a cruise ship lawyer who can advise you comprehensively about the best way to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit.
Recovering Compensation for Cruise Ship Injuries
You could receive compensation if you file a lawsuit for any cruise ship injuries. While compensation varies from case to case and depends on your specific circumstances, you could potentially recover costs for:
- Medical treatment
- Future medical treatment
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of a sense
You might also receive other types of compensation. In a wrongful death case, you could receive funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other awards.
A cruise ship lawyer can advise you further on how to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit and can answer all your questions after assessing your particular cruise ship injury or wrongful death case.
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What Can I Expect If I File a Lawsuit Against a Cruise Line for an Injury?
Cruise ship passengers do have legal rights, and cruise lines have a number of responsibilities. This includes making sure that risks of accidents and injuries, as well as risks of catching any infectious diseases, are kept to an absolute minimum. A cruise line also has to ensure that all staff hired have been vetted and are adequately trained not only for their particular job, but also with assisting passengers in the event of an emergency or accident.
If you intend to file a lawsuit in order to recover compensation for any injuries that you suffered due to the negligence of a cruise line or staff, you can expect an uphill battle. Not only do the cruise lines try and protect themselves with their ticket contracts that waive liability in a number of circumstances, as well as set a timeline for lawsuits, they can also fight claims vigorously. If you suffered injures by cruise ship negligence, you need to act quickly to protect yourself from present and future financial losses.
In the first instance, a cruise line may try to convince you not to take legal action, and their insurance company might even offer you a settlement out of court. You do not have to sign any statements or agree to any settlements. You have the right to consult with a lawyer about your options.
Generally, insurance companies will work in their own interests and try to keep any settlements as low as they possibly can. It can be helpful, therefore, to hire a cruise ship injuries lawyer who will have your best interests at heart and will fight for your rights and compensation.
When trying to hold a cruise line to account for your injuries, you should expect to have to prove your case with concrete evidence and witness statements showing negligence of the cruise line. You may also need to rely on the opinion of expert witnesses to prove your case. Holding a large cruise line accountable can feel daunting and overwhelming when considering that they have almost unlimited resources to fight any claims and lawsuits.
However, you are not alone. A lawyer can help you with all aspects of building your case and proving the negligence of a cruise line. We can help gather the evidence, witnesses, and expert witnesses needed for your case. If needed, we can also negotiate with insurance companies and fight for your rights in court.
If you or a loved one suffered any injuries on a recent cruise vacation, you may be wondering what you can expect if you file a lawsuit against a cruise line for an injury. Generally, filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a cruise line in order to recover medical bills and expenses can be challenging. Expect having to provide evidence proving that the cruise line or cruise staff acted negligently, and that this negligence caused your injuries. According to Reuters, cruise lines may offer settlements for major incidents that occur during a period at sea, but negligence and major injuries are key for a lawsuit against a cruise ship.
The same principle holds true for any illnesses that you have caught onboard. You will not be able to sue a cruise line unless you can prove that negligence of the staff or the company caused you to get sick. An illness such as the common cold will likely not qualify; however, if you can prove that you caught a serious illness, such as food poisoning, onboard and that this was the result of unhygienic and inadequate food handling procedures, you could have a case. According to The New York Times, passengers aboard a cruise ship that failed to follow medical guidelines sued after a coronavirus outbreak.
Some infectious illnesses that passengers catch on cruise ships can be life-threatening. Lack of hygiene and infection prevention, or an ineffective quarantine, can contribute to the spread of illnesses. If you had serious health implications and medical bills from either an infectious disease or injury suffered on board, you could potentially file suit. According to the Associated Press, even medical malpractice suits can occur if an injury occurs after a medical error. According to International Maritime Health, slip and falls account for a majority of injuries aboard cruise ships. Depending on whether or not negligence on the part of the cruise line contributed to the fall, you may qualify to pursue a claim or suit.
Proving Your Case
If you file a lawsuit against a cruise line for an injury, you can expect having to produce comprehensive evidence highlighting the cruise line’s negligence and your injuries. This can include pictures you took of the accident and what caused the accident, witness statements, and medical reports, as well as other evidence. You may also need to draw on the testimony of expert witnesses to strengthen your case.
The Cruise Line Might Offer You a Settlement
If you file a lawsuit against a cruise line for an injury, you can expect that the cruise line or their insurance approach you for an out-of-court settlement. This can not only save them court expenses and attorney’s fees; it can also help them keep any compensation as low as possible.
If your injuries prove severe, though, you can seek fair compensation in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. Having legal representation can help you assess an initial settlement and decide if filing a lawsuit is appropriate in your case.
Filing a Lawsuit Against A Cruise Line
Cruise lines, in their ticket contracts, limit the amount of time you might have to file suit against them. They also stipulate where you can file any lawsuits. Not adhering to the terms set out in the ticket contracts could bar you from obtaining compensation.
Several large cruise lines state in their contracts that you will have to file any legal action in the United States district court for the southern district of Florida in Miami-Dade County. Other cruise lines may demand you to file in other locations throughout the United States. You can find this information in your contract.
It is important that you comply with what is stated in your ticket contract, including any time limits and stipulations as to the city and venue of where you can file a lawsuit.
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What Damages Are Available for Injuring Yourself on a Cruise Ship?
If you can prove that a cruise line’s negligence is responsible for your injuries, you could receive compensation. It can be difficult to generalize about the amounts and types of compensation you could receive, as this depends on your accident and the severities of your injuries. It might also depend on whether the cruise line was wholly or partially responsible for your injuries.
However, generally in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you could recover certain economic damages. Economic damages relate to monetary losses you had as a result of an accident or wrongful death in the family, and compensation can include the costs for:
- Medical treatments
- Hospitalization
- Rehabilitation
- Medical devices
- Lost income and future lost income
- Transportation
- Health aide or home help
- Funeral costs
You could potentially also recover non-economic damages with a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a cruise line. Non-economic damages tend to be trickier to quantify, as they typically cannot be shown with bills or receipts and are therefore somewhat subjective. Non-economic damages that you could claim in a cruise ship injury or wrongful death lawsuit can include amounts for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of a limb or sense
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of guardianship and guidance
Since non-economic damages are largely subjective, having a cruise ship injuries lawyer by your side can be helpful for calculating non-economic and other compensation for your case. Additionally, you could also receive punitive awards if the cruise line acted particularly negligently in the accident that caused your injuries.
Sometimes, you can file or join in with a class action lawsuit against a cruise line, when a number of plaintiffs suffered injuries due to cruise ship negligence in the same type of accident or negligence. This can be the case when an infectious disease breaks out on a ship, affecting many passengers. These types of lawsuits can also provide plaintiffs with a monetary settlement.
If you would like to find out more about any compensation that you could receive, and how you might best go about recovering any damages, consulting with a lawyer can inform you. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can evaluate your specific case to see if you could hold a cruise line to account and obtain compensation for any losses.
Passengers board cruise ships for relaxing vacations, but accidents and injuries on cruise ships can happen. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may qualify for different types of awards if you can prove that negligence on the part of the cruise line caused your accident. According to Reuters, not every situation aboard a cruise ship warrants a lawsuit, but if severe injuries occur due to the negligence of the company that owns the ship, a lawsuit can help a victim seek reparations.
In addition to the more serious accidents such as the grounding of a ship, a collision, or a fire onboard, injuries can happen in a variety of every-day circumstances on a cruise ship. According to a three-year study, published by the International Maritime Health, the overwhelming majority of accidents on cruise ships, as well as onshore, are slips and falls, and the most frequently injured body parts are the lower extremities. Unlike slips and falls on land, a slip and fall aboard a ship can lead to open wounds, dislocations, and fractures.
If you had an accident on vacation, you may want to find out what damages are available for injuring yourself on a cruise ship. If you initiate legal action against a cruise line, you might be able to recover medical bills and other costs related to the injury. Consulting a cruise ship injury lawyer can help you get clear on your legal options and assist you in recovering any compensation for your injuries.
Types of Accidents on Cruise Ships
While slips and falls may be a typical cruise ship accident, injuries can occur in other circumstances on a cruise ship. These days, cruise ships are more like floating cities than ships. They are full of fun and novel amenities for those looking for activities and thrills onboard, for example climbing walls, water parks, onboard zip lines, and bungee jumping. All these amenities come with an increased risk of accidents and mishaps.
Likewise, shore excursions can also be a source of accidents and injuries. Excursions offer activities such as hiking up waterfalls or mountains, swimming with dolphins and stingrays, and bus trips up narrow mountain roads. Unfortunately, these activities can sometimes lead to accidents and serious injuries, forcing passengers to seek urgent medical treatment onshore or onboard. Sometimes, the injuries can be so extensive that a passenger has to return home for medical treatment. Occasionally, people die in cruise ship accidents.
Some of the other accidents and injuries seen with cruise ships can include:
- Elevator accidents
- Food poisoning
- Fire
- Drowning
- Infectious disease outbreaks
According to the Associated Press, even doctors who work aboard cruise ship risk malpractice suits. Accidents on cruise ships are not only frustrating and can end a vacation. They can also result in hefty medical bills. Sometimes, injuries can be life-changing or fatal. Depending on the severity of an accident, injuries on cruise ships could also result in broken bones, traumatic brain injury, disfigurement, and permanent disability.
Liability in a Cruise Ship Accident
Serious injuries can result not only in high medical bills but also in ongoing future rehabilitation costs, transport costs, and lost income. In some cases, the victims of a cruise ship accident may never be able to return to their career; however, there may be compensation and damages available if you injured yourself on a cruise ship. It can be important to do everything possible to protect yourself from any potential future losses and bills connected to the injuries.
If the cruise line, or a third party contracted by the cruise line, is responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, you might have legal recourse and could obtain compensation. You have the choice to get advice from a cruise ship injury lawyer when seeking the justice and compensation that you deserve. According to The New York Times, one cruise ship’s failure to follow medical guidelines resulted in an outbreak of coronavirus.
Damages Available in Cruise Ship Accidents
Damages that are available for injuring yourself on a cruise ship can include economic and noneconomic awards in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. The exact types of compensation and amounts that you could receive will depend on your unique circumstances and on whether your injuries are minor or life-changing and permanent. Generally, compensation in personal injury cases can entail:
- Present and future medical treatment costs
- Loss of wages and future loss of wages
- Costs for medical devices
- Costs for help with daily tasks
- Awards for mental suffering
- Awards for physical pain and suffering
- Awards for loss of life-enjoyment
In wrongful death cases, a plaintiff could also recover:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guardianship for children
There could be other compensation due to you, depending on the details of your accident, such as punitive damages and others.
We Can Help with Your Cruise Ship Lawsuit
If you are considering holding a cruise line to account for any illnesses or injuries due to negligence on a ship, contact us as soon as possible. Timely action is of the essence as you could be prevented from initiating legal action if you wait too long, depending on your ticket contract and any applicable statutes of limitations.
Lawsuits against a cruise line can potentially be very different from other lawsuits. International or foreign laws may apply that can make legal action more complicated and cumbersome.
While this should not discourage you from initiating legal action if you suffered injuries or a loved one died on a cruise ship, it can be beneficial to accept professional help when fighting against a large cruise line.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today and talk to one of our team members about your cruise ship injury case. Find out how we can help you receive compensation at (800) 794-0444.
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