Cruise ships are floating resorts with endless opportunities for fun and adventure. On some ships, you can ride a roller coaster; on others, you can race go-carts. Most have water slides and plenty of outdoor pools. Cruising is a blast, but unfortunately, sometimes people get hurt.
It is nice to think a ship is a safe environment where you’d have to do something reckless to get injured, but just like on land, you can be injured through no fault of your own. If you are hurt on a cruise, a cruise ship injury lawyer can help.
At John Foy & Associates, our personal injury lawyers have recovered over $1 billion in awards and settlements for victims just like you. If you’ve been hurt on a cruise ship, contact us today for a free consultation.
What to Do if You Are Injured on a Cruise
If you are hurt on a cruise ship, following some specific steps can help your case if you later need to seek compensation.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Cruise ships have infirmaries where you can seek basic medical attention. If you require more significant treatment, they can help you arrange it.
If you believe you need further care and the cruise line denies it, it is important to advocate for yourself and insist. Ask for copies of all records related to your visit and the associated costs.
Document the Scene
If you are able, take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible after your injury. Take notes on the specifics of your accident and how it occurred. Ask the cruise line for a copy of the incident report if they have one.
Visit Your Doctor
When you return from the cruise, see your physician for a thorough examination. They may wish to review your documents from the cruise line for their initial evaluation of your injury.
Contact an Attorney
It is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as you can. Your medical care expenses on your cruise can be significant, and the process for reclaiming compensation is complicated. You need a skilled cruise ship injury attorney on your side.
Why You Need a Lawyer When Injured on a Cruise
Personal injury cases are always challenging. When injuries happen on cruise ships, you need to be sure you have an ally in your corner who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Some of the ways a cruise ship injury lawyer can help include:
Accident Investigation
We’ll review your accident and determine who is liable. The at-fault party could be the cruise line, one of their employees, another passenger, or a company running a shore excursion. Knowing who is liable helps us understand how to proceed with your case.
Unraveling Legal Complexities
One thing that complicates cruise ship injuries is understanding which laws apply when the ship is not in port. Different cruise lines have different regulations, and sorting through their fine print and maritime law requires a skilled attorney.
Assessing Your Compensation
Your lawyer will review your economic and non-economic damages and calculate the maximum compensation for your injuries. We can then use this information to present claims for a fair settlement from the at-fault parties.
Deal With Insurance Companies
We’ll worry about the insurance companies for the cruise lines on your behalf so that you can worry about healing. We’ll negotiate for a settlement that will help you pay the bills and expenses you incurred due to your injury.
How Do Cruise Ship Injuries Happen?
Just like on land, injuries can happen in any imaginable way, as well as some ways you’d never imagine. Some of the most common ways people get injured on cruise ships include:
Slip and Fall
Due to the constant presence of water, there are many opportunities to slip and fall on a cruise ship. Outdoor decks near the pool are often wet and slippery, and inclement weather can make all outdoor decks dangerous.
Spilled drinks, messes on the buffet floors, and improperly marked mopped floors all present hazards. Most ships have stairways and sections with multiple levels, which can make it easy to trip and fall.
Recreational Activities
Cruise lines are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to recreation and sports activities onboard. However, passengers may be injured when equipment doesn’t operate as planned, and some equipment can injure passengers if not secured during rough seas.
In addition to potential injuries onboard, cruise passengers can be injured during shore excursions such as snorkeling, swimming, and other activities. Shore excursion companies may be liable in such circumstances.
Onshore Injuries
Part of the fun of cruising is visiting a new place, but this also presents the possibility of injury. Passengers may try renting a scooter, riding a jet ski, or doing other activities where they can get hurt.
In worst-case situations, cruise passengers visiting unfamiliar locations may be hit by cars, fall in a public venue, or encounter physical violence.
Illness
The food options on a cruise can seem endless, from world-class dining to grab-and-go buffets. However, when food safety issues crop up and people get sick, the cruise line can be held liable.
They may also be liable if they don’t take adequate measures to prevent or stop the spread of communicable diseases onboard. This is especially important because of the potential threat of COVID-19.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer
Cruises are a lot of fun, and they are generally safe. Cruises take steps to ensure the well-being of their passengers. However, you can get hurt anywhere, and when it happens on a cruise ship, you’ll have a unique set of issues to deal with.
Cruise ship injuries are complex, and you need someone on your side. Our cruise ship injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you need after an injury. We’ll handle the cruise line and the insurance companies so you can concentrate on healing.
Our team at John Foy & Associates has over 350 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of people like you. Contact us today for a free consultation, and tell us your story.
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