Florida Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Cruise ships offer the attractions and protection of a small city. However, when you step aboard a ship, you expect professional services from the entire staff—including the healthcare team—should you need them. However, medical malpractice can happen at sea, just as on land.

Our Florida cruise ship accident lawyers have two decades of experience with applicable maritime laws. If you’ve suffered due to the negligence of a healthcare professional working for the cruise line, contact our team of maritime injury lawyers today. We’ll help you fight for your rights.

Recovering Compensation for Your Losses from Medical Malpractice on a Cruise Ship

Seeking compensation for the harm you suffered at sea from a healthcare professional requires a different legal approach than pursuing a claim for a land-based case. It’s a complicated path that almost always benefits from the guidance provided by a Florida personal injury lawyer.

The compensation itself is relatively comparable to what you might recover on land and may cover the following:

• Medical costs associated with malpractice, such as hospitalization or treatment.
• Income lost as you recover, or future lost earnings if you cannot return to work.
• Pain and suffering.

How much compensation you could recover depends on the level of negligence involved and the severity of harm you sustained. Meet with our law firm’s cruise ship medical malpractice attorneys in Florida for an in-depth discussion of your expectations.

Time Limitations on Pursuing a Compensation Claim for Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice

If you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice on your cruise, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm for advice on how to proceed. Your time to file a compensation claim with the cruise line depends on the terms listed on your ticket contract, but it is usually six months.

Moreover, you have just a year to file a lawsuit should negotiations with the cruise line fail to produce the compensation settlement you deserve.

Florida Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Claims

Only since the Franza v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, LTD case in 2014 could those harmed by negligence by a cruise ship medical worker pursue a compensation claim or judgment in Florida’s federal courts.

To pursue a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit against a cruise line, we must follow the conditions outlined in the cruise ship contract, and the medical professional must have been a cruise line employee at the time of the incident, not an independent contractor.

You may pursue a claim or lawsuit against a medical professional who was not an employee of the cruise line. Still, U.S. courts might not have jurisdiction if the individual is from another country. An attorney well-versed in maritime law can address this issue.

Proving the Medical Professional Was a Cruise Line Employee

A cruise line employee who is a medical professional performing their duties aboard a ship should act within the accepted standard of care. If they don’t, and a court determines that they deviated from that standard of care and caused harm by doing so, a victim can pursue a compensation claim or take legal action.

One of our duties as cruise ship medical malpractice attorneys in Florida is establishing that the medical professional was an employee, not an independent contractor. Some ways we can do this are by proving the following:

• The cruise line has the authority to hire or fire medical team members.
• The medical team wears cruise line uniforms, just as other employees do.
• The cruise line publicizes the ship’s available medical care.
• The cruise line provides inventory for the medical facility.
• The cruise line pays the medical team, just as it does other employees.
• Billing for medical care received by passengers goes through the cruise line.

Even if the medical professional who harmed you is not a cruise line employee, you could still hold the cruise line liable if it placed someone with subpar abilities and training onboard its ship.

Examples of Medical Malpractice Onboard a Florida Cruise Ship

Our attorneys will help you determine if your experience falls within the definition of medical malpractice, which involves a medical professional deviating from the accepted standard of care. Those actions (or inactions) may include:

• Failing to diagnose a medical problem leading to a critical lack of treatment
• A misdiagnosis leading to incorrect and potentially harmful treatment
• Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage possibly leading to harmful side effects
• A medically unnecessary procedure
• Improper treatment or failing to treat, leading to infections or worsening of the initial injury or illness
• Refusal to treat a passenger in need of medical care
• Neglecting to monitor a passenger post-treatment

Your Cost to Work With Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers in Florida

Our maritime attorneys offer free case evaluations to those who believe they’ve experienced medical malpractice on a cruise ship. Founding partners Jason and Debi Chalik personally handle every case. Our Florida cruise ship medical malpractice lawyers takes pride in providing personal attention and honest communication to each client.

If we take on your case, we do so on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We’ll never add to your financial burden as you deal with the fallout from medical malpractice.

Our Best Spokespeople: Clients Like Kelly

“I found Chalik and Chalik by Googling them … Mr. Chalik came out to my home to discuss my case and even referred me to a chiropractor next to where I live. I have dealt with both Chalik brothers and found them to be responsive and sympathetic.

Jason explained everything to me step by step. I am very happy with the results and the respectful way I was treated by all of his staff. Thank you!” — Kelly B.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Session With Our Florida Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today

If you’ve returned from a cruise suffering due to medical malpractice, we want to hear your story. We’ll do everything we can to protect your rights and get the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today.