Cruise ship accidents happen far more frequently than many people realize. Unfortunately, these accidents are often serious and quite complex. Los Angeles hospitals see countless cruise ship accident victims every year, as do other port cities throughout the nation. Given the nature of these large ships, there are many opportunities for an accident to occur while aboard a cruise ship. And while accidents happen, many of the injuries and deaths could be avoided with better training of personnel and maintenance on the boat and its facilities.
The Los Angeles cruise ship lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm have extensive experience representing victims of cruise ship accidents and are prepared to take on your case today. If you are unsure whether you need an attorney for a cruise ship settlement, we encourage you to give our Los Angeles cruise ship accident lawyers a call today. Call us at (800) 501-3011 for a FREE case consultation.
Types of Accidents and Injuries on Cruise Ships
There are more than 20 million cruise ship passengers every year, with 2017 seeing the most cruise ship passengers ever with 25.8 million. With so many people sailing the sea worldwide, it should come as no surprise that accidents and injuries happen often. Given the nature of these ships, the injuries suffered are often catastrophic, and victims could benefit from the expertise of a California cruise ship attorney. A cruise ship accident can occur anytime and anywhere, but some of the most common accidents on these vessels include:
- Slips and falls
- Trips and falls
- Fires
- Drownings and pool accidents
- Shore accidents
- Collision accidents with other boats
- Automatic door accidents
- Legionnaire’s Disease
- Viruses, including COVID-19
- Bacterial infections
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Assault
- Sexual assault
Unfortunately, these types of accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death. Unsecured storage of any supplies by negligent crewmembers can lead to serious accidents as the ship travels across the sea. Ships do have the ability to lose power, leaving passengers immobile and only able to float around until help finally arrives. Other ships have had diseases and viruses that can spread through the population of the ship, which includes all passengers and crew members. Cruise ship accident victims are more prone to receive critical injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Trauma to the head
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lung damage from water-related accidents
- Fractures and dislocated bones
- Cuts and severe lacerations
- Amputations
- Serious burns
- Disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
To assess the extent and long-term costs of your medical treatment and rehabilitation with as much accuracy as possible, the Los Angeles cruise ship accident injury lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm can acquire an expert medical testimony.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Cruise Ship Accident?
If you suffered an injury on a cruise ship, you should take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention
- Report the incident to cruise ship personnel
- Get copies of your medical records and reports
- Get copies of the incident report or police report
- Get a copy of your passenger injury statement
- Document your cruise ship injuries
- Talk to witnesses and exchange information
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Contact an expert California cruise ship injury lawyer
Types of Cruise Ship Injury Claims
Our cruise ship attorneys can assist you with the most common types of injury claims, including:
- Wrongful death
- Injuries to minors
- Assault cases
- Work accidents
- Premises liability injury claims
Liability for Cruise Ship Injuries in California
We often employ private investigators to determine the facts of your cruise ship accident, as well as the circumstances of the accident. That evidence can and will prove the liability of all negligent parties involved. Testimonies from the witnesses onboard can be secured to reinforce your point of view and can express the negligent party’s dangerous practices more logically. Reconstruction or re-enactment of the cruise ship accident scene can help identify the facts and reveal the appropriate party’s fault. The following negligent acts by the ship’s owner, captain, and crew-members are among the most common causes of cruise ship accidents, which include:
- Failure to comply with safety standards
- Distracted captains unaware of other watercraft in the area
- Operating a cruise ship in unsafe weather
- Physical assaults by other passengers and crew members
To relieve your stress and support your recovery, our experienced cruise ship injury law firm handle the negotiations with the liable party and their insurance companies. Our personal injury lawyers are experts in the legal terms and coverage limits of many insurance policies and are quite skilled in negotiating to secure settlements for numerous cruise ship accident victims. Wilshire Law Firm uses its experience and every available resource and strategy to fight for your full reimbursement.
Proving a Cruise Ship Accident Injury
Even though minor injuries are quite common, and cruise ships have a clinic onboard to treat its crewmembers and passengers, cruise ship accidents have caused serious injuries, including death. Any accident victim on board that requires immediate medical attention may suffer from the delay in transporting them to shore via helicopter. In an emergency, the victims’ families should contact one of our professional cruise ship accident lawyers as soon as possible to ensure access to any required medical treatment. Our early involvement is critical for any victims that do not have sufficient coverage under a medical insurance policy to fund any source of treatment. With this, you must receive immediate medical care to prove a cruise ship accident injury. Keep a record of the care you receive and any other details of your case, as this information will be paramount in holding those responsible for your injuries accountable.
Compensation Awardable for Cruise Ship Injury & Accident Claims
Your best choice is a cruise ship accident attorney with maritime law experience to represent your interests to the court and the negligent party’s insurance company. The personal injury attorneys of Wilshire Law Firm have represented cruise ship accident victims by securing a financial settlement that has satisfied both their immediate and long-term needs.
Wilshire Law Firm is fully prepared to pursue any legal action that will ensure that you are compensated for all expenses, including:
- Lost wages from work
- Emotional distress
- Medical bills
- Long-term rehabilitation and other costs associated with cruise ship injuries
Our cruise ship settlement lawyers represent all our clients on a contingent fee basis. You pay no money upfront, and we cover all trial expenses. The firm is not reimbursed or compensated for our services until a settlement in your favor is reached.
Cruise Ship Accident FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions our Los Angeles cruise ship accident law firm fields include:
How Common are Deaths on Cruise Ships?
Deaths from cruise ships usually receive media attention, as these accidents can be tragic and out of the ordinary. According to research, there are about 200 deaths aboard cruise ships every year, and the odds of dying on a large boat like this are about 1 in 100,000. To learn more about wrongful death or accident claims, contact a cruise ship accident lawyer at Wilshire Law Firm today.
Where Do I File My Cruise Ship Accident Case?
Filing a claim for a cruise ship accident can be particularly confusing if the incident took place at sea. In most cases, accident victims must file a claim with the jurisdiction where the ship left port or returned to port. To learn more about this, please contact a maritime accident lawyer in California.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim Against a Cruise Ship?
Before filing a lawsuit against a cruise line following an accident or injury, it is important to understand that the victim’s contract with the cruise line governs how much time you have. This is referred to as the statute of limitations. An experienced Los Angeles cruise ship accident lawyer will help you determine the specific deadlines and ensure you act quickly to file a lawsuit.
Can I Sue a Cruise Line if I’m the Victim of a Violent Crime, Rape or Sexual Assault?
The short answer is yes. Contact a cruise ship assault attorney from Wilshire Law Firm for more information on how to proceed with these types of cases, as they are both sensitive and complex.
How to Notify a Cruise Line of an Injury?
If you suffered an injury on a cruise ship, report the incident immediately to the ship’s security officer or other personnel.
Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer
Wilshire Law Firm is proud to provide aggressive, honest, and ethical representation for cruise ship accident victims. Answers to any questions you may have about the legal process are available by contacting our counselors. We can travel to your home or medical facility for all meetings if that is more appropriate.
If you or someone you know suffered an injury during a cruise or in an accident including a cruise ship, please contact the Los Angeles cruise ship accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm at (800) 501-3011.