Cruise Ship Vacations are meant to be fun and exciting, however unlike land adventures, cruise ships have their own set of potentially dangerous situations which can result in serious personal or psychological injuries. Cruise lines may be responsible for the injuries that passengers sustain on and off the ship, during registration, ship sponsored excursions and during transport between ship and shore.
Slip and Fall/ Trip and Fall accidents – In calm or rough weather, ships present uncommon opportunities for accidents. This may include: falling on stairs; slipping on deck, around the pool or in poorly lit areas; falling out of bed, in cramped cabins or in the shower as well as during dining or other activities. In addition, passengers may be injured by objects that have not been adequately secured. The most common trip and fall/ slip and fall injuries occur when an area is unexpectedly wet, slippery or uneven which are both common occurrences onboard a ship.
There are two main categories for these types of accidents:
Tender Boat Injuries – “Watch your step” is commonly heard for a good reason. The unpredictable movement of large and small ships when connecting or docking can make it difficult to board or disembark from these unfamiliar vessels. This can result in broken bones, head and neck injuries, back and spine injuries and other serious forms of physical trauma.
Excursion Injuries – Unfamiliar surroundings along with distracting sites and sounds can contribute to a variety of accidents. Many of these can be caused by unsafe conditions which occur as a result of vendor negligence.
Gangway injuries – Loose or uneven planks, moving objects, and other unusual circumstances can lead to serious injuries when boarding or disembarking a ship. Navigating these structures becomes even more difficult when passengers are carrying souvenirs, umbrellas, cameras or other items.
Falling Objects – Improperly secured objects can become flying projectiles and may cause serious injuries to passengers in their cabins and throughout the ship. If you have been a victim of such an accident please contact us.
Food Poisoning – Food poisoning has become increasingly common aboard cruise ships as a rising number of tourists cram into closed communities for a journey out to sea. Improperly stored or prepared food can lead to wide spread contamination and infection. As such, it is easy for outbreaks to occur and symptoms can include severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Passengers can be highly contagious and may remain so for several days after recovery. Over six hundred passengers were victims of a recent outbreak of gastrointestinal illness while traveling on a recent Caribbean cruise. In addition, the CDC has recorded dozens of cruise ship outbreaks in the past several years. If you have suffered symptoms of food poisoning as a result of cruise ship negligence we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Sexual Assault, Rape or Molestation – CNN’s Anderson Cooper and many other prominent news agencies have reported on rape and other viloent acts that place passengers in danger on the open seas. – “There are sexual predators at sea… Some experts believe that as many as 80% of cruise ships have at least one predator aboard”. Often crew members and others feel that they can prey on unsuspecting passengers out on the open sea and they know that many cruise ship assault and rape crimes aren’t reported. You have a basic right to safety and security and we can help you obtain compensation for the horrific long term effects that cruise ship assault or rape may cause.
Crew Member Injuries – Crew members often carry supplies while navigating narrow stairways, closet areas and other challenging portions of the ship. In addition, they may work in confined areas and often rush to provide optimal service to their awaiting guests. Even though they may feel well acclimated to their surroundings, the constantly changing dynamics of life onboard a moving vessel can be hazardous. If you have been injured on a cruise ship (regardless of your nationality or point of origin), we can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Wrongful Death – Unfortunately, a small percentage of passengers never return from their voyage. When a fatal accident occurs, relatives are overwhelmed by grief and their minds are filled with questions. Families deserve to know what happened and we can help obtain the answers that they need while aggressively pursuing compensation for their loss.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can represent passengers who have traveled on any major cruise line including:
| ✓Carnival Cruise Ships ✓Celebrity Cruise Ships ✓Costa Cruise Lines ✓Disney Cruise Ships |
✓Norwegian Cruise Ships (NCL) ✓Regent-Seven Seas Cruises ✓Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships ✓Silversea Cruises |
Many cruise lines insert a one year statute of limitations clause in their contract and often passengers fail to make an immediate claim. Therefore, it is highly recommended that one follow up on a cruise ship or excursion related case as quickly as possible.
In court, the accused property owner will have attorneys that will try to refute and devalue your case. Having an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer on your side will help fight and counter the testimony given by the cruise line.
You have the right to receive proper compensation for the injuries sustained from a negligent cruise ship operator! Contact us today!