When a cruise ship company acts negligently, a cruise ship injury lawyer can pursue compensation for your serious injuries. Every year, cruises ship passengers depart US soil and enter international waters in pursuit of fun and adventure. However, accidents and injury due to negligence can wreak havoc on a traveler’s cursing experience. A cruise ship injury lawyer will help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Cruise Ship Injuries and Maritime Law
Cruise ships in navigable waters are generally operating under the rules of maritime law. These laws may differ from the state laws of the passenger’s home residence. There are many laws that apply specifically to cruise ships. These laws can be complex and confusing. For example, maritime law allows a 3-year statute of limitations, whereas the statute of limitations for a cruise ship injury may be reduced to one-year in some circumstances. There are also rules regarding where the plaintiff can file their claim, based on where the injury occurred. For this reason, it’s important to have an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer who is familiar with this branch of law.
Common Causes for Cruise Ship Injuries
Cruise ships have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions on the ship and deliver passengers safely between their destinations. Injuries can occur when a cruise ship fails to address environmental hazards aboard the ship, fails to properly screen employees, or vet service providers at ports that they collaborate with. Cruise ship injuries can include:
- Slip and fall injuries from environmental hazards on the ship
- Injury from being struck by an object
- Injury from on-board entertainment options, such as waterslides or ziplines
- Food poisoning from improperly cooked or held food
- Physical or sexual assault
- Injuries occurring at ports from poorly examined local service providers
- Passenger Disappearance / Falling Overboard
Falling Overboard / Disappearance
A cruise ship can be held responsible when a passenger falls overboard or disappears on a cruise ship if they have acted negligently and contributed to the accident. For example, if a cruise ship bartender serves a passenger who is clearly intoxicated and the passenger subsequently falls overboard, the cruise ship may be considered negligent. Other examples of negligence include defective handrails that don’t meet safety standards for cruise ships, or a cruise ship that doesn’t warn passengers when entering rough waters. A cruise ship injury lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding a passenger’s disappearance or fall and determine if the family can pursue a claim based on negligent actions of the cruise line.
Cruise Ships and Assault
Sexual assaults are among the top crimes committed aboard cruise ships. These assaults can affect passengers and crew members alike. A cruise ship may be responsible for an assault if they failed to take reasonable actions to prevent it. For example, a claim for negligence may be considered if an assault occurred and the cruise ship failed to:
- Repair broken door locks
- Provide sufficient lighting
- Complete background checks on crew members
- Provide adequate security
If you have been sexually assaulted on cruise ship, seek medical attention immediately. You can request a sexual assault forensic examination to collect evidence of your assault. Depending on where the assault occurred, you can seek support from the US Embassy, the FBI, or the U.S. Coast Guard. Be sure to notify the incident to security officers on the cruise ship as soon as possible. You don’t have to face this alone; an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer at our firm can offer competent and compassionate representation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Today!
A Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at the Wieand Law Firm, LLC will vigorously pursue compensation for serious injuries you suffered due to cruise ship negligence. We will stand up to make sure your voice is heard and that your interests are capably represented. Call 215-666-7777 or send us a message to speak to a cruise ship injury lawyer today.
