Summer time is here which means many Central New Yorkers are aching for a vacation getaway. For many, a cruise is the perfect retreat to escape life for a few days. For Jane and her family, their vacation turned into a nightmare. She and her family boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on-route to the Bahamas. Her son was so excited to go on the water slide, it was all he talked about in the days leading up to the trip. When he finally got to the slide, the ladder broke, and Jane’s son fell down fifteen feet, leaving his leg broken and their vacation ruined.

Cruise Ship Contract Limitations

Oftentimes, cruise lines will do everything in their power to avoid a personal injury lawsuit. Before boarding a cruise ship, you may be asked to sign a contract. While it seems to be standard, it may come back to haunt you later in the event of a lawsuit. Some contracts may restrict the following:

• The type of lawsuit that can be filed
• Where the lawsuit can be brought
• How much the company can be forced to pay in a lawsuit

Steps to Take If You Are Injured on a Cruise

If you are injured on a cruise, here are four steps you should take:

1. Seek medical treatment immediately. Visit the ship’s infirmary to get treated for your injuries. There, you can report the accident. Be careful of the questions the cruise line physician may ask you, as they are working for the cruise line, not necessarily for you, and may try to get you to blame yourself for your injuries.
2. Report the incident as soon as possible. Speak with a security officer and other personnel and have them give you a copy of the incident report right then and there. You will likely not be given a copy unless you request it immediately after speaking with the officer.
3. Gather evidence of the accident. Take your own photos of the incident as the cruise line is not obligated to provide them to you in the event of a lawsuit. This may include taking a photo of a wet area that did not have a “wet floor” sign and taking a photo of cameras around the area to prove the cruise has footage of the incident, as they will often deny footage that does not favor their argument.
4. Contact a personal injury attorney and file a lawsuit right away. The statute of limitations depends on a variety of restrictions, however, it is crucial to file a lawsuit as soon as possible to meet any limitation deadlines.

Statute of Limitations for a Cruise Injury

The statute of limitations for injuries occurring on cruise lines depends on the location of the accident. An injury that occurred on a Carnival cruise line in Florida may be different than a Norwegian cruise line in New York State. It is important to consult with an attorney immediately to make sure to bring a timely claim.

Don’t Negotiate, Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

You don’t have to fight for yourself in a cruise injury lawsuit. Those who do not want to have to go through the process of hiring a personal injury attorney, may believe they can represent themselves in a case. This often leads to negotiations against intimidating insurance company giants who will try to tear down your accusations and result in very little compensation for you, compared to if an attorney had represented you in a cruise lawsuit. As previously stated, cruise lines will do everything in their power to avoid paying a personal injury lawsuit. It is worth consulting an attorney as many will not require any payment unless you win the case. The few extra moments it takes to hire a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your settlement.

If you’ve been injured while on a cruise ship, Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi and Pearlman is ready to fight for you. Your injury was not your fault and we can help you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. For a completely free consultation, contact our office today. Let The People’s Lawyer help you, call us today.

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