Boat / Cruise / Airline Accidents
When your cruise ship vacation results in you getting injured, you will want to consult an injury attorney about your legal rights. Accidents aboard a cruise ship are usually much worse that those on land. When you are out at sea and injured, you may not know your legal rights, or if you have any at all. Experienced cruise ship accident lawyers are necessary to protect your rights and will help you understand how and whether you can recover damages for your injury. For example, many cruise ship cases have a 1 year State of Limitation meaning that you need to file a lawsuit within a year of your accident or you may not be able to pursue a case.
It is well known that the cruise ship industry has had problems with bad sanitation and they often have had poor security and little, if any, proper safety precautions. It is also known that cruise ship companies have hired unqualified people. They often hire people who have totally different cultures or zero understanding of our concept of right and wrong, who have little education or training at all. These poor hiring practices are often coupled with poor maintenance and questionable management practices.
Some of the most common cruise ship injuries include: slips or trips on steps and decks, injuries while ashore on a ship sponsored excursion, rape or attacks by crew, violent passengers, deadly food poisoning, fires, explosions, lack of security, or mechanical defects.
If you were hurt on a cruise ship, the first thing you need to do is read your ticket and the passage contract. It contains your rights, duties and obligations. The passenger ticket will advise you where and when any potential lawsuits against and cruise ship can be brought. Sometimes, cruise ship accidents are only allowed to be brought in the state where the cruise chip is based.
An attorney will be able to assist you with the fine print on the passage contract. You should retain a lawyer who can investigate your claim and who can afford to hire professional experts and investigators.
