Cruise Ships Attorneys

Cruise Ships

Cruise Ship Lawyers represent those injured aboard a cruise ship. Injured parties may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional damages.

What do I do if I am injured on a cruise?

After you have sought medical attention for your cruise ship injury, and you believe you have the right to file a claim, the first thing you need do is review your cruise passenger ticket. There is usually a provision that you must notify the cruise line of your injury within six months from the incident or else your claim will be barred. Also, the passenger ticket most likely contains a provision that requires you to file suit against the cruise line within one year of the date of the accident. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible for more information about filing your claim.

Note: Your cruise ticket will require you to file suit in the city in which the cruise line is based. For example, Holland America generally requires you to file suit in Seattle, Washington, Royal Caribbean generally requires you to file your claim in Miami, and Princess Cruise Lines claims must be filed in Los Angeles.

Is a cruise line liable if I am injured by a passenger's intentional act?

A cruise line is responsible to protect passengers from harm from fellow passengers. However, the problem for liability lies in whether the cruise ship, and its staff, knew or should have known that danger from a fellow passenger existed and whether the injury could have been prevented. If the danger could not have been reasonably anticipated or the crew did everything possible to prevent any harm from occurring, the cruise ship will not be liable.

What about injuries occurring on a cruise ship's shore docks?

Although cruise ship shore docks and events associated with them may be purchased through the cruise line carrier, the passenger ticket generally limits liability in writing for passenger injuries during shore events. In most cases where injuries occur, the claim can be brought only against the shore side operator and not the cruise line.

It is important to note, however, that on certain cruises the cruise will visit islands owned by the cruise line itself; e.g. Disney cruise lines. Under these circumstances, the cruise line is held liable for injuries occurring on those islands.