Port Canaveral, located on the East Coast of Central Florida, is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, second only to Port of Miami. Over 4.5 million passengers sail from Port Canaveral each year. Many of these travelers have booked the vacation of a lifetime, eager to cruise to paradise and escape the long, brutal winter months. Cruising offers an affordable way for individuals and families to visit distant destinations on a limited budget with all-inclusive options.
While no one wants to think about it, occasionally things can go wrong on a cruise. Injuries to passengers on cruise ships are common. Most often, these injuries are due to cruise line negligence. Injuries and deaths that occur on cruise ships often stem from:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Ship pool drownings
- Medical malpractice
- Negligent security
- Sexual assault and rape
If you are injured on a cruise ship, immediately seek medical attention and assistance from the appropriate ship personnel. Be sure to document all of the events leading up to the incident, take photographs of the scene and your injuries, and collect witness statements and contact information, if you are able. Obtain a copy of the report that is filed with the cruise ship and request all medical records if you are examined by medical personnel on the ship.
Limitations on Cruise Line Liability
When you purchase your cruise ship ticket, you have agreed to terms and conditions printed on the ticket contract that limit cruise line liability should something go wrong. You may be limited by the amount of time allowed to bring a lawsuit. When a passenger is injured on a cruise ship, the ticket usually contains language requiring that a notice of claim must be filed within six months of the incident, and claims must be filed within one year. Other limitations allow the cruise line to decide which court in which state a lawsuit must be brought. These limitations can be further complicated depending upon whether the ship was at port or at sea when the incident or death occurred.
Contact an Attorney Experienced in Maritime Law
The process of filing a lawsuit against a cruise line is governed by federal regulations, maritime law, and state law. If you or someone you love has been involved in an incident on a cruise ship, contact the Law Office of Heidi A. Hillyer, P.A. today to discuss your legal options and potential claim.