Cruise ships are designed to provide passengers with luxury and entertainment, but they also come with potential hazards. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 1,200 incidents involving serious injuries or fatalities occurred on cruise ships between 2018 and 2021. Slip-and-fall accidents make up many of these incidents, with hundreds of passengers each year experiencing fractures, concussions, or other serious injuries due to wet or poorly maintained surfaces.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, such as norovirus, affect around 1 in 3,000 passengers annually. Furthermore, a study published by the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health indicates that medical negligence cases on cruise ships occur in about 5% of all reported injuries, highlighting the risks passengers face when they need medical attention while at sea.
Common Cruise Ship InjuriesCruise ship injuries come in many forms, often depending on the specific activities or conditions on board. Some of the most common types of injuries that passengers experience include:
Not only are these injuries painful, but they can also ruin your vacation and lead to unexpected medical expenses. What’s worse is that some cruise ship injuries result in lifetime physical limitations. If the cruise line's negligence contributed to your injury, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim Against a Cruise LineFiling a personal injury claim against a cruise line can be complex. Cruise lines often claim they are protected by contracts passengers sign before boarding, which can make it difficult to pursue a claim without an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer.
For example, one of the most critical elements of a cruise ship injury claim is adhering to strict time limits. Many cruise lines require injured passengers to file a notice of intent to pursue a claim within six months of the injury and file a lawsuit within one year. These deadlines are often buried in the fine print of your ticket agreement, so it’s crucial to act quickly.
Similarly, there may be restrictions on where you can file a claim. Cruise line contracts typically designate where legal claims must be filed. In many cases, lawsuits must be brought in the state where the cruise line is headquartered, even if your injury occurred in international waters. Many major cruise lines are headquartered in Miami, so if you suffered an injury on a cruise, you may need to file your claim in a Miami court.
Finally, to successfully pursue most types of personal injury claims against a cruise operator, you must prove that the cruise line or its employees acted negligently, and this negligence caused your injury. This may involve gathering evidence such as witness statements, medical records, and photos of the accident scene and injury.
Cruise lines often have teams of lawyers to defend against claims, which is why it's important to have an experienced Miami cruise ship lawyer on your side.
Speak With a Dedicated Miami Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer TodayIf you’ve been injured on a cruise, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. Whether it was a slip-and-fall accident, medical negligence, or an incident during a shore excursion, your injuries may have long-lasting effects on your health—and your finances. Working with an experienced Miami cruise ship injury lawyer can make all the difference in securing the maximum compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages such as pain and suffering. At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, we understand the challenges that cruise ship injury victims face and are immediately available to meet with you to discuss your case. We do not get paid unless and until there is a monetary recovery secured for you. To learn more and schedule your free consultation, call us at 305-448-8585 or connect with our staff by completing our secure online contact form.