Cruise Ships and Boating Accidents
If you are injured while on a cruise or in a boating accident, there may be sources of compensation for the injuries and damages you sustain.
Maritime law is the area of law which governs accidents involving cruise ships, boats and personal watercraft. It is also sometimes referred to as admiralty law. An accident can happen in local waterways, foreign ports or out at sea. If you are injured while you are a passenger on a cruise ship or in a boating accident, there may be sources of compensation for the injuries and damages you sustain.
That does not mean that every injury automatically will entitle you to compensation. You still must prove that the injury in your boating accident was the result of negligence or carelessness of somebody who owed you a duty to provide a reasonably safe ship and qualified crew, that they breached their duty, and that you suffered economic (example: lost wages or medical bills), or non-economic damages (example: pain and suffering).
Cruise Ship Accidents
Many people flock to Florida from all over the world to embark on cruise vacations. While you would naturally hope to have a relaxing, fun and stress-free vacation, it doesn’t always turn out that way. Injuries may occur while on board the ship or on a shore excursion which is promoted and sold by the cruise line. Unsafe conditions on board a ship can result all types of injuries in a variety of ways including falls, food poisoning, or infections caused by unsanitary conditions.
On shore excursions, injuries may occur due to faulty equipment, lack of training, failure to warn of dangerous conditions, crimes, and general negligence. Cruise ship accidents have more complicated jurisdictional issues, and cases may end up in either state, federal or foreign courts where there may be multiple applicable laws and international treaties which govern.
Boating Accidents
Who May Be Responsible For Your Damages?
In a boating accident each case is different. The captain/operator of the boat may be liable for failing to reasonably provide for the safety of the passengers. The owner of the boat may be liable if he/she permitted it to be operated by someone that they knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known, was not qualified to safely operate it.
A rental company may be responsible, if the boat was rented and they knew or should have known, in the exercise of reasonable care, that there were maintenance or other problems which could compromise the safety of all on board. The manufacturer of the boat may be liable if there was either a design or manufacturing defect.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the waters of cruise ship and boating accident claims. There are many issues such as notice, filing deadlines and jurisdiction which, if overlooked, can result in your claim being barred. Call us today for a free case evaluation and get the peace of mind you deserve.
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Call 954-640-7800 and schedule your free consultation. We will handle your case with compassion and will fight for you every step of the way.
