If you sustained a serious injury related to a cruise ship trip, you might benefit from a free consultation with a cruise ship lawyer. Though cruises are supposed to be fun, and an opportunity to escape the stresses of life, sometimes they go wrong. In fact, sometimes they go very wrong and result in a passenger’s death. We represent the victims of cruise ship accidents, and the loved ones left behind after a fatal accident.
You Have Rights
As a paying passenger in the care of a cruise ship company and the staff on board, you had a reasonable expectation of your safety. Accidents can happen anywhere and may be unpreventable, but many accidents are preventable and should never have happened. In those cases, the negligent or careless act of even one person can have catastrophic results on another person’s well-being. Some people who are injured while on a cruise may feel helpless against the huge conglomerate that owns the cruise ship. However, as an injured passenger you have legal rights and deserve compensation for your damages. If your loved one died in a cruise ship accident, you may be eligible for compensation toward funeral expenses and many other costs. Though a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit can’t turn back the clock and reverse what happened, a settlement or jury award can reduce your financial stress.
Common Cruise Ship Accidents
Due to the variety of cruise ship packages, there are many ways in which accidents occur. The circumstances of your own injury may be unusual and not on the following list. Do not let that deter you from investigating the possibility of collecting compensation. We encourage you to speak with a cruise ship accident lawyer from our firm to discuss the strength of your case. Here are some of the most common types of cruise ship accidents:
- Norovirus: this is not an accident as much as an illness, but when the cruise ship staff acted negligently or carelessly, the illness can develop and spread. Norovirus can break out when the food on board is handled by a staff member who did not properly wash their hands and contaminated the food. In addition, when passengers contract norovirus, they can become seriously or fatally injured if the cruise ship staff does not provide proper and adequate treatment.
- Drowning or presumed drowning: all too often, a passenger goes missing on a cruise ship and is presumed drowned though their body is never recovered. In addition, passengers may go overboard due to inadequate railings or other safety measures. Passengers of all ages have drowned in on board swimming pools as well. If a trained lifeguard was not present or did not perform reasonable first aid or emergency treatment, the cruise ship might be held liable for the loss of life or a sustained injury.
- Slip and fall accidents: if the staff does not adequately maintain a cruise ship’s passageways or corridors, hazards such as debris or liquids can create a slippery surface. A fall can result in broken limbs including a hip, compound fractures, spinal injuries, and more. Serious or even fatal injuries can result.
Pursuing Compensation
Every case is different, which is why it’s important to sit down with an experienced personal injury lawyer Lakeland FL residents trust who can provide you with the guidance you need. A cruise ship lawyer from our firm can review your case at no charge and offer guidance as to what you might consider for your next steps—give us a call today to find out more.
Thank you to our contributors at the David & Philpot, P.L. law firm for the above information.