At Goldberg & Rosen, we have successfully litigated against all the major cruise lines and obtained settlements for injured individuals throughout the country. As such, few Miami cruise ship lawyers are more qualified to argue your case and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Understanding your rights.
As cruise ships are considered “common carriers,” they are required to exercise the highest level of care to ensure their passengers are safe and protected from harm. If the cruise ship fails to exercise this care and passenger injury occurs as a direct result, they may be held responsible for the damages. If you or a loved one has been injured while on board a cruise ship, you may be able to file a claim against a number of individuals and/or entities, including:
- The owner of the cruise ship.
- The company operating or chartering the cruise ship.
- The company that sold the cruise ship ticket.
- Any third party that caused the injury.
Common cruise ship injuries
There are a wide range of injuries that can take place on a cruise ship, and may indicate that you are entitled to recover compensation for your damages. They include:
Slip and falls
There are numerous areas for passengers to slip and fall on a cruise ship, including slippery decks, pools, restaurants and dance floors.
Food poisoning
A common problem on cruise ships, contaminated food is extremely unsafe and can lead to food poisoning and serious illnesses like Norovirus, which causes severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.
Sexual and physical assault
Cruise ships have a responsibility to protect their passengers from assault and physical harm. If you or a loved one was sexually or physically assaulted by a crew member or another passenger, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the cruise ship and the offending individual.
Injuries due to crew errors and negligence
Cruise ships are supposed to be safe places where passengers can enjoy their vacation. As such, the crew should be trained to respond to emergency situations and maintain the safety of the vessel. If the actions or mistakes of a crew member results in your injury, they and the cruise ship may be liable.
Pool and water slide accidents
Serious injury due to water slide and swimming pool accidents may occur due to a lack of supervision, a faulty design or overly slick surfaces.
Injuries during recreational activities
If you sustained an injury during a recreational activity organized by the cruise ship, like a boating excursion, the cruise ship may be held liable for your damages.
Wrongful death
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of a crew member, the company that owns the cruise ship or another third party, our legal team will help you bring a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
If you or a loved one has suffered any of the above experiences while on board a cruise ship, our team of among the best cruise ship injury attorneys Miami, Florida has to offer will help you determine if you have legal recourse, and which parties are liable for your injuries.
Safeguarding your right to sue for damages
Filing a cruise ship injury claim is not as straightforward as a similar claim filed for land based injuries. That is because maritime law governs the movement of goods and passengers on the water as well as injuries sustained while on a vessel. This body of law is very complex as it contains federal statutes as well as international treaties governing the many aspects of commercial travel on the ocean and inland waterways.
A cruise ship injury attorney must be fully familiar with these laws in order to be successful in filing and prosecuting a claim for damages. As a prominent Florida law firm, Goldberg & Rosen have the resources and experience in maritime law to navigate the complexities of a cruise ship injury case, focusing on getting substantial compensation for their clients.
The passenger ticket dictates when and where
The passenger ticket modifies several important aspects of where the suit must be filed and within what timeframe it must be filed. It doesn’t matter where the passenger resides; the courts usually enforce the provisions listed on the back of the ticket which is actually a contract between passenger and carrier. These terms are usually in small print and for most people, largely unseen when anticipating a fun vacation on a cruise ship.
If you have suffered a cruise ship injury and intend to sue, you will need an attorney experienced in marine law as well as personal injury. The ticket will dictate that the suit usually must be filed in Florida, California or Washington depending on where the vessel is registered. At Goldberg & Rosen we have the resources to file within the stated jurisdiction in a timely manner and to see the lawsuit through to conclusion. Your residence may not be in Florida or the other jurisdictions; we will represent you wherever required.
Time frames for filing cruise ship injury lawsuits are short. If you have been injured during a cruise and intend to seek compensation, it is in your best interests to have your case reviewed as soon as possible.
Schedule A Consultation
If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligence or misconduct, please do not hesitate to contact among the best attorneys Miami has available at Goldberg & Rosen today to receive expert guidance about your legal options, as well as a free and confidential case evaluation.
© Goldberg & Rosen. All Rights Reserved.