Florida Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers
Cruise Ship Accidents
There is no state that sends more cruise passengers out to sea and to visit foreign ports of call than Florida.
With at least 6 cruise terminals in our state, millions of passengers board the giant cruise liners each year and head out for an enjoyable adventure and a vacation to remember. Many recommend a cruise to their friends and family and later return to take another cruise. But a cruise can go horribly wrong in a hurry and the cruise ship owner will not necessarily be there for you.
The more you look into the cruise industry, the more you learn that it is there to make a profit and it could be at your expense.
On or off the ship, a cruise passenger can experience a slip and fall, also known as premises liability. Florida premises liability cases can also result from an assault, rape or theft, falling down a stairway, a drowning or near drowning in a swimming pool, an accident on a gangway, or falling overboard.
Cruise liners are registered to foreign countries with the intent of skirting U.S. regulations. Employees aboard a cruise ship, from a lowly waiter to the doctor on board, are generally not U.S. citizens. The medical doctor more than likely is not trained in the U.S. or licensed to practice medicine here. Too often the cruise passenger finds out that these loopholes allow accountability to take a second seat to profits.
The cruise industry has a duty to care for its passengers in a reasonable and safe way, but if it can't account for an employee accused of wrongdoing, the ship's owner is off the hook. Ships have been known to ferry suspects off of a cruise ship at a convenient port to avoid accountability.
There are also certain dangers at sea that can lead to an injury such as the listing of the ship, a failure of navigation equipment, human, mechanical or navigational errors.
If you experience an injury on a cruise ship, report it immediately and collect as much documentation as you can. That may include phone numbers of witnesses, reports, photographs, anything in writing from the ship, and a confirmation from the official in charge on the ship.
You will want to talk with a Florida cruise ship injury attorney as soon as possible while the evidence still exists. Know that if you file an action against a cruise ship, even if you live in Chicago, you must file your lawsuit in Florida (primarily Miami) and you have a limited time to notify the cruise line (6 months) you plan to file a lawsuit, and a time limit within which to file the suit.
It doesn't matter if it is inconvenient or expensive for you. The cruise owner would prefer you just forget it and go home.
That's why it is important to hire an experienced Florida maritime and admiralty law firm to handle your case. Injury victims can make a claim for the physical injury and psychological trauma they suffered during the cruise. If a ship's personnel knows of dangers and fails to correct the problem, they could be held liable as well.
Your attorney must be experienced in maritime law and know what it takes to determine jurisdiction, negligence, and how to fight the cruise line's claims in order to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Please visit our Jacksonville Florida Admiralty Website for more info.
Our personal promise: Accident victims have specific rights, but by law you have a limited time to take action. When you use our team at Farah & Farah, there are NO up-front charges.
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Our fee is a percentage of the money awarded payable only when your case is successfully concluded. No matter how many times you call and how long we talk, there is NO CHARGE or cost until your case settles. Do not sign any releases, agreements or give any statements until you have spoken with us about your legal rights. When it comes to getting you more, we won't settle for less!
We personally promise that you will be treated with the respect and dignity you deserve. We promise to keep you up to date and informed as to developments in your case. Your case is important to us, regardless of size.
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