Cruise Ship Injuries

More than eight million people board cruise ships yearly in Tampa, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach. This high volume of travelers can easily lead to cruise ship accidents and injuries, and when you are left suffering aboard a cruise ship, you can be left at a loss for what to do. The Villages Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help steer you along the right legal path, regardless of the types of injuries you have sustained.

The most common cruise ship accidents can include, but are not limited to:

• Slip and fall accidents or trip and fall accidents
• Water slide and swimming pool mishaps
• Medical negligence
• Sexual Assault
• Sickness from food and water impurities
• Injuries that happen while on excursions off of the cruise ship
• Ship and dock accidents
• Wrongful death

Read the Fine Print on the Back of Your Cruise Line Ticket

Being aware of the fine print on your passenger ticket when you have suffered an injury on a cruise ship is important. The back of your ticket often includes special provisions that designate where you can use the cruise line. The tiny print on your cruise line ticket also indicates the time frame in which you can file a personal injury claim against a cruise line. Cruise ship injury claims often have a statute of limitations reduced to one year. Your cruise line pass or ticket is a contract with valuable information on what steps you need to take to validate your claim.

What Do I Do If I’ve Been Injured on a Cruise?

When you sustain an injury or illness on a cruise ship or at least three miles from shore, International Maritime Law may apply. Taking the proper steps can protect your rights and strengthen your claim:

• Report the incident: Notify the cruise ship security and request a copy of the incident report. If they don’t provide one, insist on getting it for your records.
• See the cruise ship infirmary for medical attention: Your health and wellness are top priorities. You should seek first aid and medical attention and obtain copies of all your medical records related to the incident. You also want to keep track of all medical expenses.
• Do not let the cruise ship dismiss your incident: Stay strong; don’t let others minimize the incident. Note the names and titles of those you speak to after the incident, as they may be useful later. Ask for copies of every report and take pictures of everything you can.
• Document Everything: Capture injuries immediately as they fade over time. Also, document any unsafe conditions on the cruise ship with photos or videos. If your statements to the doctor or cruise ship security are recorded, you can request a copy or record the conversation yourself.
• Be careful how you speak to the cruise lines: Be aware that leading questions may twist your answers against you. Stay direct and accurate in your responses, but do not accept blame, make excuses, or apologize.
• Gather your evidence and any witness information: Gather contact info, statements, and evidence like video footage from witnesses.
• Consult Our Cruis Ship Injury Lawyers: The back of your cruise ticket has important information to protect the ship from liability. For your claim to be valid, it must show that negligence contributed to your injury.

Let Our Villages Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Help You File a Claim

If you or someone you love was injured while on a cruise, the Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can assist you with your accident claim and make sure that your rights remain protected. Even if your injury takes place off the ship, there are still ways to file a claim for your accident.

Your cruise line claim may be affected by varying laws contingent upon where your cruise ship accident injury occurred. This means that your claim may be subject to certain Florida laws, Federal Maritime laws or even Foreign Port laws. The Villages Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have the ability to scrutinize every aspect of your cruise line claim and apply whatever laws necessary to recover the maximum compensation that you rightfully deserve. For advice about your cruise ship accident or injury or to set up a free consultation to discuss what steps to take next, contact Whittel & Melton online or in The Villages at 352-369-5334.