Most people think of cruise ship excursions as a time for rest and relaxation, and for the vast majority of cruise-goers that is the case. However, should you experience a slip and fall or other injuries while abroad a cruise ship, it can ruin what should have been a great vacation. As an injured passenger you would no doubt hope that the cruise ship company can be made to cover your medical bills, however, being injured aboard a cruise ship is not the same as being injured in, for example, a car accident.
Cruise ship passengers have limited rights when it comes to accident claims. According to maritime law, injury victims must prove not only that they were hurt, but that the cruise line was at fault or negligent. This is true even in cases as severe as wrongful death.
When injured aboard a cruise ship it is often advisable to hire a personal injury attorney who is familiar with the complex laws and regulations of maritime law. Cruise ship injury attorneys can help you to navigate these laws so that your injuries can be addressed.
When you purchased your cruise ticket you agreed to a long list of stipulations that limit your ability to bring a lawsuit against the cruise line and whether or not you were aware of that has no bearing on any case you may bring. The cruise line can dictate how long you have to file a claim and even where you can file your claim (usually, this is in Miami). If you should miss the timeline stated by the cruise line on the back of your ticket you may lose the right to be able to file altogether. Cruise ship accident attorneys have extensive experience with these agreements and will be able to help you to receive the compensation you deserve for your accident.
Many people wrongly believe that they cannot afford to hire a personal injury law firm, however, most injury lawyers will take cases on a contingency basis. This means that as a victim of an injury you pay nothing upfront. Any payment to your accident lawyers would come out of your settlement amount.
After a cruise ship accident you will likely be busy handling pain and injuries. This can be overwhelming and can prevent you from properly addressing your legal situation. When every word you say, and every action you take, counts it’s best to retain legal help from a firm with years of experience such as Friedman, James & Buchsbaum LLP.