If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship, it’s important to speak with an experienced Delray Beach personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Maritime law is complex, and if you’re not familiar with the intricacies of the law, you could be left without the compensation you deserve.
Our team at Steinberg Law knows how to deal with cruise ship accidents. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of injured passengers, and we know how to get the best results for our clients.
Contact us today at 877-783-4611 for a free consultation with a Delray Beach cruise ship injury lawyer.
Complex State Laws and Shorter Statute of Limitations to File a Claim
The statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long you have to file a claim. In most cases, the statute of limitations is designed to give people ample time so that they can investigate the matter with an attorney and file a claim.
However, when you sign a contract with a cruise ship line in Florida, most of them include a clause that restricts the period in which you can sue them. This clause often shortens the statute of limitations from four years (the typical time frame to file a personal injury claim) down to one year from the date of the accident.
This can be a major problem if you sustain an injury while on your cruise, because you may not even realize that you’ve been injured until long after the accident has occurred. For example, if you develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may not realize that your symptoms are related to the accident until months or even years later. By then, it may be too late to file a claim against the cruise ship line.
When you book a cruise, make sure you understand the terms of your contract and know how long you have to file a claim if you are injured while on your trip.
It’s always best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after an injury on a cruise ship. The experienced attorneys at Steinberg Law in Delray Beach can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Who Is Held Liable in a Cruise Ship Injury & Assault Case?
When you book a cruise, you expect to have the time of your life. Unfortunately, accidents and assaults do happen on cruise ships, and when they do, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible. In many cases, the cruise line will argue that they are not liable for any injuries or damages that occur onboard.
However, there are several factors that can influence whether or not the cruise line will be held liable in a case. For example, if the incident occurred due to negligence on the part of the cruise line (such as inadequate security or unsafe conditions), then they may be held liable.
Additionally, if the victim can prove that the cruise line knew about the dangerous condition and did nothing to fix it, then liability may also be assigned to the cruise line. Basically, the cruise ship will be held liable if the injuries and assault caused are through negligence or the actions of employees.
If you are not sure if you have a valid claim, you should discuss the case with us. We will look into the matter and ensure that if the cruise line company is at fault, you get your deserved compensation.
What Kind of Cruise Ship Injury & Assault Claims Can Be Filed?
Some of the cruise ship injury and assault claims that you can file depending on the pieces of evidence collected are as follows:
- Negligent security measures or maintenance
- Rape and sexual assault
- Assault and battery
- Ship mechanical malfunctions
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Gangway accidents
- Unsafe ship-endorsed activities
- Water slide or ride injuries
- Missing persons
- Alcohol-related accidents
- Tender or boat transfer accidents
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Excursion accidents
How to Notify a Cruise Line of an Injury
One of the most important aspects of taking a cruise is making sure you are safe and healthy while on the trip. If you are injured while on the cruise, it is important to notify the cruise line as soon as possible so that they can provide you with the proper medical care and assistance.
There are a few different ways to notify the cruise line of an injury. One way is to fill out an incident report form. This form is usually available at the guest services desk on board the ship. You can also call the customer service number for the cruise line and speak to someone about your injury. Be sure to have all of your contact information and details about the incident ready when you call.
Another option is to send an email to the customer service department for the cruise line. Include all of your contact information and details about the incident in the email so that they can follow up with you.
However, it is important to note that taking legal action against a cruise line can be difficult, so it is always best to consult with a cruise ship accident attorney in Delray Beach before proceeding. It would be wise to contact Steinberg Law because we have experience in handling such cases for years.
Most Common Dangers on a Cruise Ship
Some of the common dangers on a cruise ship are as follows:
- Injuries during cruise ship activities
- Virus outbreaks (like norovirus and COVID-19)
- Injuries during cruise ship shore excursion
- Slip and fall accidents on cruise ships
- Onboard medical malpractice
- Food poisoning
- Sexual and physical assault
- Water slide and pool accidents
- Injuries during recreational activities
- Injuries due to negligence and crew errors
- Wrongful death
Recoverable Damages in a Cruise Ship Accident Claim
Following are some of the recoverable damages in a cruise ship accident that you can claim from the cruise line company:
- Current and future medical costs
- Inhibited earning capacity
- Loss of wages (both present and future)
- Current and future rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death claims
The cruise line company will do its best to defend its case and provide as little compensation as possible. But with proper backing from experienced attorneys from Steinberg Law, you can fight the case and win your deserved claim. Make sure you talk to us about the entire incident so that we can proceed with the case strategically.
Why You Need a Specialist for a Cruise Ship Personal Injury Claim
There are several reasons why you should work with a cruise ship accident attorney in Delray Beach.
We’ll Protect You From Insurance Companies.
One of the reasons you should work with a cruise ship accident lawyer is that we understand how insurance companies operate. We know that they are businesses, first and foremost, and their goal is to protect their bottom line.
As such, they will do everything they can to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out on claims. They may try to lowball you on an initial settlement offer, or they may drag their feet in the hopes that you will give up and go away.
But we will not let them take advantage of you. We will stand up to them and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
We’ll Maximize Your Financial Recovery.
In addition to economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages for your pain and suffering.
A skilled lawyer from Steinberg Law will know how to present these types of damages to a jury or insurance company in order to maximize your financial recovery. We will level the playing field and make sure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
We’ll Protect You If You Share Fault.
In many cases, cruise ship accidents are caused by a combination of factors, and it’s not always clear who is at fault. But even if you think you may have played a role in causing the accident, it’s important to speak with a lawyer before taking any action.
The reason is that insurance companies and cruise lines will often try to shift blame onto passengers in order to avoid liability. And if you make any admissions of fault, even if you think they’re minor, it could jeopardize your chance to recover compensation.
At our firm, we have extensive experience working with passengers who have been injured in cruise ship accidents. We know how to investigate these complex cases and determine who is really at fault.
How Can I Hold the Cruise Company I Traveled With Responsible for My Accident?
If you were injured while aboard a cruise ship, you may be wondering how to hold the cruise company responsible. There are a few things you’ll need to do in order to build a strong case.
First, you’ll need to document the accident and your injuries. This includes taking pictures of the scene of the accident and gathering any witnesses’ contact information. You’ll also need to get medical attention as soon as possible and keep all of your medical records and bills.
Once you have this documentation, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cruise ship accidents. We’ll evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of action.
Overview of Ship Owner’s Duty of Care and General Maritime Law
Under maritime law, shipowners have a duty of care to their passengers and crew. This duty extends to ensuring the safety of the ship itself, as well as the safety of those onboard. In addition, shipowners are responsible for providing adequate food, water, and medical care for their passengers and crew.
If the shipowner fails to meet this standard of care, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries or deaths.
In addition to the duty of care, shipowners are also subject to general maritime law. This body of law governs all aspects of shipping and navigation, including contracts, torts, property rights, and environmental protection.
Call a Delray Beach Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Today!
If you have been injured on a cruise ship, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Steinberg Law are experienced in maritime law and can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We represent injured ship passengers and crew members.
Call our Delray Beach law office at 877-783-4611 today for a free consultation.
