Injured on a Cruise Ship?

An injury or illness can quickly ruin your exciting cruise vacation. From slips and falls to being hit by falling objects, onboard or excursion accidents can lead to serious injuries that may require extensive medical treatment.

If you or a loved one has been injured while on a cruise ship, it’s important to know that you have legal options to seek compensation for your injuries. Our team of experienced injury attorneys is committed to helping you navigate the legal process and seeking justice for your injuries.

If you suffered an injury, contact us today at The Cartwright Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with our experienced cruise ship accident attorneys.

First Steps Following a Cruise Ship Injury

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we understand that experiencing an injury-causing accident while on vacation can be overwhelming and stressful. While it is natural to be upset by this interruption to your trip, it is essential to take the appropriate steps immediately after an accident occurs.

The following actions will help you get the medical treatment you need and protect your legal right to file an injury claim.

Alert Crew

Report the incident to someone who works for the cruise line. A crew member can help you get to a safe location and guide you to the ship’s medical bay for an initial assessment. For severe injuries, the medical team may need to notify the captain and request that you are immediately transferred to a hospital.

Medical Attention 

Commercial cruise ships have medical staff onboard that can treat minor injuries and, if necessary, deliver trauma responses until off-ship emergency medical assistance can arrive.

Your injury claim will work to cover any onboard medical expenses. Denying medical care on board can impact your physical well-being and the validity of your injury claim.

File an Incident Report 

File an official incident report with the cruise line as soon as possible. Provide clear information about how the accident occurred and your injury. Incident reports help establish the details of the accident, the conditions that contributed to the injury, and the actions taken immediately following the accident.

Failure to report your injury, or lack of reporting, could potentially make it difficult, if not legally impossible, to prove your claim and the cruise liner’s negligence. It is also helpful to get a copy of the incident report for your own records.

Gather Evidence 

In addition to requesting a copy of the incident report, it is also a good idea to take photos or videos of the scene of the incident and your injuries. If there were any equipment malfunctions, debris, or hazardous materials that caused your injury, be sure to document that.

Rest 

If you remain on the cruise ship following your injury, be mindful of avoiding physically straining activities. Try to make the best of the remainder of your vacation without running, dancing, or participating in physical activities onboard or at the port. This will not only exacerbate your injuries but can negate the validity of your injury claim.

Initiating an Injury Claim

Once you are off the ship, seek follow-up medical care and obtain legal representation from an experienced injury law firm. It is important to act quickly as most cruise lines require that you submit a written notice of your claim within six months and file suit within one year of the injury.

Commercial cruise companies are powerful and have teams of lawyers to defend their cases. It is essential to obtain legal counsel from knowledgeable injury attorneys with experience serving clients injured while cruising.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, our dedicated personal injury attorneys have knowledge of the specific laws governing these types of cases and can help guide you through the claims process. We will also negotiate with the cruise line on your behalf and fight for the compensation you deserve for any physical, emotional, and financial damages you have suffered.

Liability in Cruise Ship Cases

Liability refers to the legal responsibility of a person or company for their actions or inactions that result in harm to others. Cruise ship companies have a legal obligation to provide a reasonably safe environment for their passengers and crew. If they fail to do so and an injury occurs, they may be liable.

Liability in cruise ship cases can be a complex and challenging process. The cruise ship company is likely to deny liability in an attempt to avoid or minimize a claim payout. Additionally, cruise ship contracts typically contain clauses that limit the amount of time you have to file a claim and may require you to take certain steps before filing a lawsuit. These factors can make it difficult for injured passengers to receive the compensation they deserve.

To establish liability in a cruise ship injury case, it is necessary to prove that the cruise line or one of its employees failed to act with reasonable care and that an injury resulted from that negligence.

As the injured party, you must prove liability by providing relevant evidence. Legal counsel will demonstrate the defendant’s fault and the extent of the damages suffered by the victim by presenting evidence such as:

• Witness testimony
• Medical records
• Photos and videos
• Expert testimony

Our ultimate goal is to prove liability and obtain a financial recovery for the damages you sustained in the incident. This can be accomplished through a settlement negotiation or, if necessary, a trial verdict.

Contact Our Skilled San Francisco Injury Attorneys

There are several complexities associated with cruise ship cases, from jurisdictional issues to the statute of limitations. There are numerous hurdles that injured passengers may encounter when attempting to seek compensation. However, with the help of an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer, you can feel confident that your case is being handled with the utmost professionalism and dedication.

Our attorneys are well-equipped to navigate the complexities that arise in cruise ship cases and can help your case move forward efficiently and effectively. If you have been injured on a cruise ship due to the negligence of a cruise company, our San Francisco personal injury law firm can help you seek restitution for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation!