Cruise ships suggest fun and relaxation. However, in some cases, the fun and relaxation may be cut short by accidents and injuries. Cruise ship accidents happen more than most people know, and this website is dedicated to providing legal representation to such injury victims.
Like any injury case, cruise ship accident victims are entitled to file a claim against the cruise line in hopes of reclaiming damages for their losses. This claims process is, however, not as simple as it sounds, especially as you’re now on international waters. Hiring a cruise ship injury lawyer can significantly reduce the stress and hassles of the entire claims process while also exposing you to certain dos and don’ts.
Wondering whether it is right to hire a cruise ship accident lawyer or what they can do for you? Read on.
Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Define The Legality Of Your Claim
Are cruise lines responsible for passengers’ injuries? This is one of the common questions on the lips of cruise ship injury victims. Determining the at-fault party in any injury or accident case can be complex and require an in-depth understanding of the law.
Most cruise lines have a standard operating procedure and liability contract for their passengers to sign when boarding the cruise ship. The details of what the cruise line is responsible for, as well as what the passenger is liable for, are contained in the contract.
A cruise ship injury lawyer can go through such a legal contract to understand the liability situation in such an injury case. This information can be used to determine the at-fault party and to what extent the cruise line operator can be held liable for the injuries suffered by the victim.
In addition to checking the contracts, a cruise ship injury lawyer can also listen to the facts of the case to determine whether you may be liable for your injuries or have an injury claim to pursue. The attorney will consider the facts of the case and seek to establish the elements of a personal injury case before initiating further actions to demand recompense for the damages suffered.
Educate You On Your Cruise Ship Injury Case
Cruise ship injury lawyers are familiar with maritime law and how it affects both workers and passengers who have been injured while aboard the water vessel. As an injured passenger, your attorney is in a better place to educate you on the injuries they can represent you in and what to expect from such injury cases.
Generally, cruise ship injury lawyers can represent clients in cases bordering on;
- Food poisoning while aboard a cruise ship
- Slip and fall accidents on deck
- Swimming pool accidents
- Physical or sexual assault by crewmembers
- Tender boat or gangway accidents
- Infectious diseases
- Accidents occurring on cruise line shore trips
- Falling overboard
- Catastrophic injuries aboard the cruise ship, including burns from fires.
- And more.
Depending on the type of accident involved in or injury suffered, your cruise ship attorney can educate you on how to proceed with such cases and ensure that you do not make the common mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
Gather Evidence
Evidence is a significant part of proving your injury case. You want to make sure that you have as much solid evidence to back your case and your cruise ship attorney will see to that. Usually, the attorney will start by obtaining a copy of the incident report made on the cruise ship after the accident and injuries were reported. The attorney will also collect information on the type of treatment offered to the client, eyewitness reports, camera footage or photographs – if available, medical records to prove the extent of the injury, and others.
The collected evidence will be prepared, along with the bills incurred by the accident victim, and packaged into a demand letter for the cruise line operator and insurers.
Cruise ship injury lawyers may also work with expert witnesses to establish the accident cause, establish the at-fault party, and back the case evidence up.
Offer Legal Representation During Negotiation And Trial
Most injury cases end in out-of-court settlements between the at-fault party’s insurer and the victim. Such out-of-court settlements often happen after a bit of back and forth between both parties on an agreeable amount to be paid in damages.
Cruise ship injury lawyers have the experience needed to calculate the monetary value of the losses suffered by their clients and demand a reasonable payout from the insurance company. If settlement negotiations fail, the attorney can also offer legal representation in court when the case is taken to trial.
Hiring a cruise ship injury lawyer offers many benefits. The lawyer’s presence in your claims case can significantly improve your odds and level the playing ground. Speak to a cruise ship injury lawyer today to get started on your cruise ship injury claim.