Miami Lawyer for Injured Cruise Ship Passenger

Find out what rights you may have when hurt on a cruise ship by calling Wolfson & Leon today for a free consultation at (305) 285-1115.

A cruise makes a popular vacation choice for many people. Since you don't have to think about where you stay or what you will eat, you can spend your day enjoying the day's planned activities, catching a show, or just relaxing by the pool. Add on a shore excursion or two to experience the local culture.

Yet the laid-back demeanor of a cruise can prove to be deceiving. Many passengers don't realize they can get hurt while vacationing on a cruise ship. You could be badly injured on your trip if you slipped by the pool or became sick due to improperly-prepared food.

Injured cruise ship passengers deal with different laws and deadlines when they get hurt. If you were injured on a cruise on a Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, or any other ship, you should reach out to a skilled Miami maritime lawyer upon your return. If you delay or file your claim incorrectly, you could lose out on recovering damages for your injuries.

When you get hurt at a place of business, you typically will file a personal injury claim to recover damages. But when you get hurt on a cruise ship, maritime laws apply. The cruise ship owner, operator, the cruise line, and the employees must provide reasonable care to the passengers. If the cruise line, ship owner, or employees fail to exercise an appropriate standard of care, they could be found negligent if a passenger was hurt.

A cruise line may be negligent in such situations as;

• Failing to provide the appropriate training to their staff or ensuring that the staff have the necessary qualifications
• Not having the appropriate number of personnel to ensure the safe operation of the ship
• Missing, broken, or inadequate safety equipment
• Failing to keep walkways free of luggage or debris
• Inadequate no-slip surfaces on outdoor decks and walkways
• Broken or malfunctioning machinery
• Assault or battery crimes committed against passengers or crew members

Cruise lines, shipowners and operators, and their employees are expected to provide a safe environment for passengers. If they are negligent with this responsibility and you were injured as a result, you could be eligible to recover damages to pay for your medical care and lost income. You may also be compensated for future earnings loss, pain and suffering, and other damages.

You may not realize that your cruise ship ticket is a contract. Within the contract are the terms and conditions you must follow if you get hurt and want to file a claim. Most cruise lines give injured passengers a short time to provide notification if they are filing a claim, which is usually six months. If you choose to proceed with a lawsuit, you typically have 12 months from the accident date. When you miss these deadlines, you lose the opportunity to collect the damages you may be entitled to.

Cruise lines typically specify which jurisdiction you must file your claim in. If you file in the wrong state or with the wrong court, you may not have enough time to file in the location stipulated on your contract, and you could miss your filing deadline.

Cruise lines use complicated language and employ attorneys to help keep their costs low when accidents occur. When you are badly injured on a cruise ship, you need to take steps to protect your financial interests. Speaking with a lawyer specializing in maritime law and cruise ship accidents can help you determine what legal remedies may be available.

At Wolfson & Leon, we are dedicated to getting justice for passengers who have been gravely injured while taking a cruise. We extend a free, no-obligation consultation so that you can find out what rights you may have. Find out more by calling the Miami cruise ship injury lawyers at Wolfson & Leon today at (305) 285-1115.