Can I Sue a Cruise Ship If I’m Injured From a Fall?

You can sue a cruise ship if you’re injured in a fall onboard. When there is a fall hazard—something that causes a slip or trip—and you suffer injuries, the cruise company might be legally responsible. They must provide a safe environment for passengers and workers alike. 

If you fell on a cruise, you will want to work with a slip and fall accident lawyer familiar with cruise company lawsuits. These cases are sometimes challenging, but many victims recover compensation through settlement negotiations, arbitration, mediation, or a lawsuit. Many injury law firms provide free initial case consultations. 

What Do I Need to Know About Suing a Cruise Company?

If you fell and suffered injuries during a cruise, consult a lawyer familiar with maritime and cruise ship injury law. When you purchased your cruise, you probably signed a ticket contract that details the process if injuries occur or you otherwise want to bring a case against the company. 

This contract will likely tell you the process, timeline, and location of lawsuits filed against the cruise line. These terms and conditions usually name a Florida court as the correct venue for your lawsuit.

They may give you only a few months to notify the company of your injuries and intention to pursue compensation, so you may want to consider speaking with an attorney as soon as your injuries allow. They can assess the terms of your ticket contract and explain your next steps. 

Liability in a Cruise Ship Injury Fall

Cruise lines and ship staff are responsible for ensuring passengers have a safe environment. Leaks, spills, rain, splashing water, and so many other slip hazards occur regularly on cruise decks, in dining halls, on stairs, and in other areas of the boat. A slippery deck or wet stairs can cause serious injuries, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, joint injuries, and back injuries. 

Trip hazards are also common on cruise ships. With so many people in a crowded area, there isn’t a lot of space for furniture, cords, and other items. A trip hazard can cause serious injuries, especially when the victim falls forward and hits their head or tries to break their fall with their arms. 

If there is a slip or trip hazard on the boat, the cruise line may be responsible. Your attorney will develop a compelling case against them and seek an appropriate payout. Cruise lines may also be held accountable for numerous other issues that occur on their boats, such as swimming pool accidents, medical negligence, sexual assault, and more. Crew members also have options for seeking compensation following injuries aboard a cruise ship.

Damages Recoverable in a Cruise Ship Fall Injury Lawsuit

When a fall victim sues the cruise line for compensation, they seek money for the expenses and losses they suffered because of their injuries. This may include both economic and non-economic damages. Each case is unique, so the recoverable damages differ from case to case. 

Your attorney will help you identify and document your recoverable damages, but some examples could include: 

• Pain and suffering, current and future
• Medical care costs, current and future
• Ongoing care and support needs for lasting injuries
• Income losses if you missed work
• Diminished earning ability if you cannot return to work
• Related expenses with receipts

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for My Cruise Ship Lawsuit?

Suing a cruise line for your injuries and recovering fair compensation may be more challenging than you realize. The contract you signed to take the cruise likely included complex terms and conditions written by the cruise line’s attorneys to prevent them from facing lawsuits. 

This often makes it difficult to proceed with your case and recover fair compensation. You agreed to these terms, which could determine when, where, and how you hold them legally responsible for your injuries. Working with a personal injury lawyer who handles cruise ship accident cases regularly helps ensure you know how to proceed with your case, understand its value, and have the knowledge and experience on your side to win. 

Most personal injury law firms provide free initial case consultations and go to work on cruise ship injury claims with no upfront costs. They only charge you from the compensation they recover on your behalf.

How Long Do I Have to Sue the Cruise Line?

Most cruise ship negligence cases occur in Florida. Many cruise lines require lawsuits to be filed near their headquarters, which is often in Miami. Florida lawmakers recently reduced how long victims could wait before filing a personal injury lawsuit in the state. With the passage of HB 837/SB236, the statute of limitations, Florida Statutes § 95.11, now only offers up to two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit against the cruise line. 

Some cruise lines require passengers to sign ticket contracts that set a different timeline for notifying them of the injury and acting to recover compensation in the case. This could be as little as a few months following your fall. For this reason, you should consider connecting with an attorney familiar with these cases as soon as your injuries allow.

Let Us Evaluate Your Legal Options for Free Today

At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, every client works directly with our partners, Jason and Debi. Our family is fighting for your family. We pride ourselves on ensuring each client’s case receives personal attention. We will come to you and can handle your case from start to finish while you heal and recover. 

We have two decades of experience and a long list of verdicts and settlements that shows our ability to recover fair compensation for our clients. For some with catastrophic injuries, this includes seven-figure payouts. We provide free case consultations for fall victims. Let us help you with your cruise ship injury case. Contact us for your free case review today.