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Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

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Cruise ships are like luxurious floating hotels. You can have some delicious food, a wide range of entertainment alternatives, and star treatment as a part of the features of every good cruise company. However, much goes into making the cruise ship experience, much as with a big hotel, and because it’s a moving boat that spends weeks at sea, one can have a bad time while on the float.

On cruise ships, accidents happen all the time. Some are minor enough to leave no lasting effects, but others cause long-term pain or even wrongful death. You owe it to yourself to get in touch with Phillips Law Office if you or a loved one is a victim of a careless cruise company. Our personal injury lawyers work with clients who faced injury or any kind of assault while on the cruise ship.

Things that can go wrong while on the Cruise

Injuries that occur while on a cruise are like those on land. However, cruise injuries can differ because they are subject to admiralty law, and cruise ships have particular risk factors specific to the environment. The following accidents can and have happened on cruises:

Slips and Falls: Passengers risk falling and hurting themselves on wet decks and in high-traffic areas with tripping hazards. On some cruise ships, the narrow staircases can also be dangerous, and individuals who fall may experience internal bleeding, broken bones, back or neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, or head trauma.

Drowning: One way for someone to perish while on a cruise is by going overboard, which happened when cruise ships had the technology to find and save people in the water. However, there have also been several terrible reports in recent years about kids dying in unattended pools on cruise ships.

Accidents on Shore Excursions: Although cruise lines frequently assert that shore excursions involve inherent hazards and that guests must bear responsibility for mishaps, there are several circumstances in which the cruise line may be at fault. Imagine if crew members neglect to check the equipment, adhere to the rules of the activity, or inform passengers of the possible dangers of cruise-sponsored shore activities like ziplining or parasailing. In that situation, the cruise line might be responsible for any mishaps.

Medical Malpractice: Although a cruise ship has all the amenities, there are chances that you may not get the desired medical care like in the hospital. Some cruise lines don’t even demand that their doctors hold a valid license to practice medicine in the United States. Additionally, cruise ship medical facilities frequently lack the personnel and supplies to provide all sick or injured guests with the proper care. It’s all too simple for a rushed ship doctor to make a mistake, which might put you in danger of life-threatening complications.

cruise ship accident

How Common Are Cruise Ship Injuries?

According to the report by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), in 2019, there were more than 150 incidents on cruise ships. Although there have been more cases in recent times, the exact data isn’t available. Most occurrences that the DOT reports involve rapes or sexual assaults. In recent years, cruise ships have also recorded several mysterious deaths, many of which involved drownings after someone fell overboard. The FBI mandates that cruise ship operators post information about events and injuries to passengers on their websites.

The numbers published by the Department of Transportation may not be accurate, even though cruise ships are mandated to report accidents and injuries to the FBI. Due to the absence of law enforcement personnel on board most cruise ships, it may be challenging for hurt passengers to report their accidents.

Is it possible to Sue a Cruise Ship Company for Injuries while on Board?

The negligence of a cruise ship company may have caused your injuries, and it’s natural to wonder if you have the right to sue for compensatory damages. Although victims can normally file a lawsuit, obstacles frequently prevent victory. As a result, before you sue a cruise ship corporation, you should work with a cruise ship accident and injury lawyer in Illinois.

The larger firm that owns the ship and hires the crew is the target of numerous lawsuits brought against cruise ships and cruise lines. We at Phillips Law Office have fought many cases for clients in Illinois to get a claim against injury in the cruise. These cruise lines are backed by a strong legal team that defends the client, and they will attempt to dismiss claims or make modest settlement offers to end a dispute without having to go through the trouble of defending themselves in court. Additionally, these businesses frequently seek confidential settlements to prevent widespread publicity for their errors. You may find it challenging to connect with high-paid law firms for obvious reasons.

Our attorneys can represent your interests and assist you in avoiding low settlement offers. They can also help you determine the value of your claim.

What to do after a Cruise Ship Injury?

Once you are injured on a cruise ship, there are different things you must follow. It will help you in getting compensation in a subsequent lawsuit. Get medical help for your wounds as soon as possible and report the occurrence to the appropriate authorities. You should retain a cruise ship accident and injury lawyer to represent your interest in legal action against a negligent party.

  • Seek Medical Attention

Any form of accident should be followed up with immediate medical attention. This might be challenging for cruise ship accident victims because they might need to wait until the cruise reaches the dock. Although it is standard practice for cruise ships to have medical personnel on board, it is vital to remember that these people work for the same cruise ship corporation whose negligence led to your injuries. Therefore, if the only source of emergency medical care is a cruise ship employee, consult a doctor when you reach the port. When you get back home, get more medical attention. Your medical records may be crucial supporting documentation in a claim against a careless cruise liner.

  • Reporting the Incident

It’s crucial to report a cruise ship injury. On some cruise ships, injured passengers can access these areas. It is best to seek assistance from the cruise ship accident attorney in Illinois to report the accident. You can draw up a report with the assistance of your lawyer and send it to the required parties.

You can notify local law authorities at the time you get hurt. However, you must remember that cruise management won’t change the itinerary. Consequently, depending on where a cruise ship is when you suffer injuries, filing a police report may not be possible.

  • Hire an Attorney

Once you are injured and confused about what to do, contacting the cruise ship attorney is best. By connecting with the services of a cruise ship injury attorney, victims can reduce stress and learn about their legal options. Your attorney can assist you in navigating the many legal issues surrounding cruise ship accident cases and obtain the just compensation you are entitled to.

Proving Liability in Cruise Ship Accidents

To receive compensation for the cruise injuries, you must demonstrate that the person at fault engaged in some type of “negligence.” In a cruise injury case, negligence is a breach of duty that the cruise line owes you.

Depending on the details of the injury, they may have a special obligation to you. Still, they are responsible for keeping the cruise and its people safe, supplying hygienic food and water, and maintaining a fair level of security on board. It also includes the responsibility to stop purposefully hurting passengers.

Consult one of our skilled maritime law solicitors if you wish to file a lawsuit against a cruise ship for damages or personal harm.

We at Phillips Law Office can help you get complete compensation per the law. Our cruise ship accident and injury attorneys can assist you in gathering and presenting evidence and witness testimony to prove your case.

Contact Phillips Law Office

You might be eligible for compensation for the losses you and your family endured if you or a loved one were injured in an accident on a cruise ship or a shore excursion. Contact our cruise ship accident and injury attorneys at (312) 598-0917 and get free case review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cruise ship accident lawyers can handle a wide range of incidents, including slip and falls, swimming pool accidents, food poisoning, medical negligence, sexual assaults, mechanical failures, excursion accidents, and more. They are experienced in dealing with various types of accidents and injuries that occur on cruise ships.

It is advisable to contact a cruise ship accident lawyer as soon as possible after the incident or accident occurs. Promptly seeking legal assistance allows the lawyer to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and ensure your rights are protected. Time limitations, known as statutes of limitations, may apply to your case, so contacting a lawyer early is crucial.

While it may be tempting to accept a settlement offered by the cruise line, it is essential to consult with a cruise ship accident lawyer before making any decisions. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the settlement offer and determine if it adequately compensates you for your losses. They can negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement or advise you to pursue legal action if necessary.

 

The duration of a cruise ship accident case can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the willingness of the parties to reach a settlement, and the court’s schedule if litigation is involved. Some cases may be resolved within months, while others could take years. Your cruise ship accident lawyer can give you a better estimate based on the specific details of your case.

 

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