Were You Injured on a Cruise Ship? You May Have Rights
If you have been injured while aboard a cruise ship, you may have important legal rights. If you are among the estimated 12 million people worldwide who go on ocean cruises every year, you may have suffered a slip and fall accident, been assaulted by crew members or fellow passengers, or otherwise been injured on board the ship or while on land excursions organized by your cruise line.
People injured on cruise ships may wish to speak with a qualified lawyer as quickly as possible to ensure their legal rights are protected. Mark & Associates, P.C. represents people injured on cruise ships departing from ports of call across the United States and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your case. Contact us today by submitting the case inquiry form on our website or by calling 1-866-50- RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448).
Which Laws Apply to My Cruise Ship Injury?
Your legal rights depend largely on where your ship was when your injury occurred. If you were in ocean waters close to shore of the United States and within the territorial waters of a state such as California or Florida, then that state's laws would apply to your case. If, however, you were injured while the ship was three or more miles out to sea, then international maritime laws would apply. If the injury resulted in a death and the ship was more than three miles out at sea, then the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) would govern.
If you are an employee of the cruise ship and were injured during the course of your employment and while the ship was in navigation, then the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (the Jones Act) may entitle you to financial compensation and other benefits for your work-related injury.
Determining which law applies to your case is a crucial first step in finding out what legal rights you may have and what financial damages you may be eligible to receive. An experienced personal injury attorney at Mark & Associates, P.C., can review your case and explain all your legal rights.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered?
On a large cruise ship with thousands of passengers, injuries can occur in a variety of ways. The most common cruise ship injuries include those caused by:
- Food poisoning
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Bacterial infections
- Drowning in swimming pools or the ocean
- Falls overboard or down ship stairwells, escalators, or other common areas
- Burns or other injuries from fires aboard the ship
- Sexual assault or molestation by crew members or other passengers
- Medical negligence by ship doctors, nurses, or other medical staff
- Swimming pool or beach accidents
- Car accidents or other incidents on shore excursions organized or endorsed by the cruise line
How Much Time Do I Have to File Suit?
Many cruise lines limit the rights of passengers to file lawsuits for injuries suffered while on the ship. Your cruise ticket or other paperwork from the operator of your cruise line may include restrictions on such legal claims. Some cruise lines require injured passengers to notify the company of an injury within six months. If you fail to abide by these rules and deadlines, you may be unable to go to court to pursue financial damages from the cruise line for your injuries. Also, deadlines called statutes of limitation set by state and federal courts require injured parties to file suit within a specified time from the date of the injury.
Free Legal Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed on a cruise ship, it is important to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible. In many cases, your right to file a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for your injury is restricted by the cruise line and the courts. The experienced, aggressive attorneys at Mark & Associates, P.C. represent people injured on cruise ships. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your case. Contact us today by submitting the case inquiry form on our website or by calling 1-866-50- RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448).
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