Our team of cruise ship accident attorneys in Florida can help if you were the victim of an accident on board a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity cruise -among others. People board cruises looking for a pleasant time, often with their families, but unfortunately, accidents and negligent actions happen even on vacations.
With the legal aid of a Florida boat accident lawyer, you may be entitled to recover compensation for damages. We have years of experience and can help you face even the biggest cruise lines. However, you need to act quickly because there is a time limit to file your claim.
Why You Need an Experienced Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer
Cruise ship accidents can become really complex really soon because there are many factors to consider, and many parties can share responsibility for your accident. And yet, accidents at sea are regulated by state and federal statutes and international treaties, which can be difficult to handle without a Florida personal injury lawyer.
It is also worth mentioning that any accidents and injuries at sea are subject to the ship’s national flag. However, an experienced Fasig | Brooks lawyer can find the best way to pursue compensation for your damages and answer your questions about:
- Admiralty and maritime laws. In a cruise ship accident, maritime laws of a foreign state may apply, even when the passenger and the cruise line are US based.
- Time limits for cruise ship accident claims. The statute of limitations for cruise ship accidents is usually shorter than other personal injury claims. Still, most cruise ship lines require injured passengers to send written notice of the accident within six months of the accident.
- Cruise line’s tickets, contracts and liability waivers. In most cases, you accept the cruise line’s contract of service just by purchasing a ticket, and many cruise lines will use that contract as a liability waiver to avoid paying any damages.
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Common Injuries on Board Cruise Ships in Florida
Personal injuries on board a cruise ship can be painful and costly, and some of the most common are:
- Slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can occur on wet surfaces, uneven flooring, areas with inadequate lighting, or walkway obstacles.
- Pool and water slide accidents. Many children’s accidents happen in water slides due to overcrowding, improper supervision, or equipment malfunction.
- Falling overboard. These accidents are serious and can cause catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death.
- Medical negligence. If the doctor on board a cruise ship misdiagnoses your case or provides you with negligent or insufficient care, they may be liable.
- Assault or sexual harassment. Emotional and psychological trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder can arise from sexual harassment and assault.
You should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney if your case looks different. They can evaluate your situation and provide you with legal advice.
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Can I Pursue Damages from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Other Big Cruise Lines?
Cruise ship accidents can be difficult to handle without a personal injury attorney. First, buying a ticket usually represents accepting their terms of service. And in the event of an injury, companies like Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity Cruises Lines may use that as a liability waiver to avoid any responsibility.
However, it is important to remember that a contract does not protect them against all personal injuries. And if your accident was caused by the direct negligence of a crew member, other passengers, or any other third party, you may get around the ticket stipulations.
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Statute of Limitations for Florida Cruise Ship Accidents
Usually, the statute of limitations for cruise ship accidents in Florida is two years. That means you must take legal action within two years, or you can lose your right to damages. Talking to a cruise ship lawyer as soon as possible is often the best way to know exactly how much time you have.
But immediately talking to a legal representative can have even more benefits for the victims. For instance, in some cases, cruise lines like Carnival can provide a full refund for accidents within 24 hours of departure.
How Much Is My Cruise Ship Injury Worth in Florida?
There are many factors to consider to calculate an appropriate amount for your damages, such as the accident’s circumstances or how negligent the liable party was. Still, in most cases, victims are granted punitive economic and non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
According to Florida law, punitive damages punish cases where the negligence is gross, or the injuries were intentional. Punitive damages are often exemplary since they intend to set an example for others to avoid the same conduct. This category of damages, however, cannot be estimated since only a judge or jury can grant them.
Economic Damages
In an accident, you may have lost some personal property, your phone fell overboard, or your suitcase broke. Besides, your injuries may require expensive surgeries and rehabilitation treatments. Those are known as economic damages, and a cruise ship lawyer can help you recover every dollar spent.
Non-Economic Damages
Passengers on a cruise ship are willing to have a good time, and when an accident ruins their vacation, they can experience all sorts of psychological injuries as a consequence. But their pain and suffering, or losing a loved one, can also be considered non-economic damages.
A Florida cruise ship lawyer can provide answers to these and other frequently asked questions in a strategic consultation.
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If you experienced an injury on board a cruise ship and someone is liable for your accident, you can file a legal claim against them. And if you lost a loved one in an accident at sea, you can also pursue compensatory damages for their wrongful death.
The time to file a cruise ship accident claim is limited, so it may be in your best interests to talk to an experienced cruise ship attorney as soon as possible. Fasig | Brooks’ attorneys are ready to answer your questions, investigate your claim and even negotiate an insurance settlement on your behalf. Contact us and schedule a free consultation.
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