Taking a cruise should be a relaxing time for your whole Florida family. When you board, you are probably thinking about lying by the pool or eating a nice meal later that evening. You are not thinking about what will happen if you get hurt. Most cruises are incident-free, and most ships are perfectly safe, but sometimes accidents do happen.
Whether you already suffered an injury on a cruise or you are planning to cruise in the future, it can help to understand what you should do next in case of an accident. It is possible that your injury is not your fault but rather the result of factors beyond your control. If this is the case, you may have grounds to pursue compensation for your pain and suffering.
Did negligence play a role?
In many cases, cruise ship accidents are the result of some kind of negligence. Despite this, cruise lines are generally not liable for injuries that occur on their ships unless there is clear proof of negligence. According to maritime law, negligence depends on whether it is reasonable to assume the operator should have known about the hazard.
If you were hurt because of standing water on the deck, rusted steps, unsecured fixtures in the room or other similar factors, you may have a case. Proving negligence on a cruise is not easy, and you will have to validate your claim with extensive evidence, documentation of your injuries and even eyewitness accounts. Thorough and experienced preparation of your civil claim is a significant factor in the success of your potential claim.
Did an employee cause your injury?
It is not reasonable to assume that a cruise line could foresee that an employee would act negligently or recklessly. However, if your injuries were the result of willfully harmful actions or blatant negligence from a cruise employee, the court may agree that you have a valid claim to financial compensation. Maritime law is complex, and cruise ship accidents are often complicated. You will find significant benefit in working with an experienced legal ally.
Your recovery
After a personal injury incident, you may not be sure where to begin. If you are unsure of what exactly caused your accident or what you should do next, you may want to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you get back to land. An assessment of your case can help you understand what legal options may be available to you