New Port Richey Cruise Ship Attorney
About 20 million Americans go on a cruise each year, but no one packs for their trip expecting to get injured while out at sea. Sadly, accidents aboard cruise ships are common, and injured victims have unique legal challenges figuring out which law applies when a ship is on the water. Contact Wendy Doyle-Palumbo today to speak with an experienced New Port Richey cruise ship injury attorney. We can walk you through your legal rights, including possible compensation. Cruise ships carry insurance, but they usually resist paying a fair settlement. Give us a call,, because no one should negotiate with a large cruise ship company on their own.
We Can Help with Common Cruise Ship Accidents
Our firm is ready to assist someone injured in the following ways:
- Excursion injuries—Passengers can suffer injuries when they go scuba diving or participate in other excursions away from the boat, like parasailing.
- Illnesses and other outbreaks—Unsanitary conditions and foodborne pathogens can make passengers sick. You deserve compensation when the cruise ship does not use reasonable care to keep the premises clean and safe.
- Onboard injuries—Many cruise passengers are hurt participating in onboard activities like ziplines, water slides, dance class, and other events.
- Negligent security—Your cabin might lack working locks, so someone sneaks in and assaults you. The boat should have ample security to protect their guests.
- Medical malpractice. The medical staff should provide competent care to passengers while out on the water. If they don’t, then you might sue for misdiagnosis or improper treatment.
- Dangerous cabin conditions—Passengers are often injured inside their cabins. They might fall because of dangerous floors or be electrocuted or burned by defective hair dryers and other products.
- Collisions or other accidents—With luck, the cruise ship will get to shore safely. But some ships end up crashing into docks or even other vessels. Passengers can be hurt when they fall.
- Fires and explosions—A fire on a cruise ship can prove deadly. Passengers might suffer burns or lung damage from smoke inhalation.
Who Can You Sue?
The legal questions are multi-faceted and complex. Some of the most common legal issues involve:
- Who is responsible for the accident? You might assume the cruise ship is always the defendant, but if you are hurt during an excursion, then a different company could be the defendant.
- Product defects. The ship is probably liable if they have a defective product in your cabin. But the manufacturer could also be a defendant.
- Source of law. A complex issue is which jurisdiction’s law applies. If the ship is in international waters, then a legal claim might look different than if you are injured close to Florida’s shore.
Contact a lawyer quickly so we can begin to collect relevant evidence and information. Cruise ships have cameras everywhere, and your lawyer can demand the company preserve video evidence for our inspection.
Speak with an Attorney Today about Your Accident
Once you reach shore, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with a New Port Richey cruise ship injury lawyer.