Personal Injury: Cruise Ship Injuries

Newsletter
“Personal Injury: Cruise Ship Injuries”

Cruise ships have become a popular vacation choice in recent years. People want to get away from the stresses of daily life for a vacation at sea. However, even though such vacations are intended to be carefree, passengers or crewmembers may still be injured aboard a cruise ship.

Most often, the ship’s owners will be held legally responsible for any injuries that take place on their ship. Ship owners have a legal duty to protect persons on their ship from any known or likely dangers and to supply reasonably safe surroundings for ship patrons and staff. However, there are different laws and legal claims that may apply depending on the type of injury sustained, the circumstances surrounding the injury and the person who was injured.

Injured Passenger

Paying patrons aboard cruise ships may be injured in a variety of ways: a slip and fall; food poisoning due to tainted food served or prepared by cruise ship staff members; assault by another passenger or crew member; or an injury due to the action or inaction of a ship’s medical staff member. If the passenger’s injury was due to negligence, the injured party (or the injured party’s loved ones) may have a claim against the owner of the cruise ship. In order to prove negligence, the injured party must prove the elements of negligence to the court: a duty running from the responsible party to the injured passenger, a breach of that duty, and an injury caused by that breach. While this may seem complex, a personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you may have grounds to file a negligence claim for your cruise ship injury.

Crewmembers

If a crewmember was injured while working aboard a cruise ship, he or she may have a claim for damages against his or her employer — the cruise ship owner. Cruise ship staff members are protected by the Jones Act, which is a federal act that protects injured seamen and gives them a legal right to damages against their employer, if the employer’s negligence has caused their injuries. An injured crewmember must prove the same elements of negligence to the court that an injured passenger must prove. If the injured party proves these elements and the cruise ship owner is held legally responsible by the court, the employer may be liable to the injured party for compensation for the damages sustained as a result of his or her injury.

What happens if a crewmember wasn’t injured, but actually caused an injury to a fellow crewmember or passenger? This usually occurs in the context of medical negligence or battery. In some jurisdictions, if a cruise ship staff member injured another person, the owners of the cruise ship may be held liable for their employees’ actions. In other jurisdictions, the cruise ship owners will not be held liable for the actions of crewmembers unless the injured party can show that the owner knew that the crewmember was violent or dangerous and did nothing to prevent the injury that occurred, or that the crewmember was negligently hired by the owner. Claims against the employer may differ depending on the facts of the case, applicable law and jurisdiction.

Contact an Attorney

Most personal injury lawsuits that stem from incidents that took place aboard cruise ships will rest on federal maritime law. However, there are some cases where state or foreign law may apply. The applicable law depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the injury. For this reason, it’s important to seek a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your situation. An attorney will be able to answer any questions you may have, ascertain the applicable law in your case and help you determine which legal path is the most appropriate for you, based on your legal rights and the facts of your case.

Preparing to Meet with Your Personal Injury Attorney

Types of Construction Accidents

Types of Car Accidents

Practice Areas

For a Free Consultation

Seriously Injured? Accident Victim? Injured Worker? Social Security Disability?

"*" indicates required fields

Our Google Reviews

4.7 rating

of 359 reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Nancy Mignogna 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stanley Law has handled my slip and fall case. It came to a close this week. I was always able to get my questions answered. I had many during the process. I often reached out to attorney Tim Welch, he always responded promptly. Connor ( Para Legal) was added to the case a while ago. He has also done an excellent job. Whenever I reached out I got answers from Connor. I was treated very well throughout this case. I would never hesitate to use this team of professionals again, if the need arises? Greatly appreciate all of your efforts! Thank you..
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Roderick Nelson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and I would recommend Stanley law firm to anyone
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Teresa 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you Stanley law for winning my case ! You never gave up on me and always kept in contact to let me know your working on my case . Thanks again
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   SANDY Garrison 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shannon and Amanda were very helpful, stayed in communication along this process making it easier to get to the end result of winning!!  Thank you ladies.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   adrienne hand shankman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shannon and Amanda are FANTASTIC to work with!! I have been battling with SSA for a LONG time and these two ladies made it much less stressful for me. Both are QUICK to respond to emails, texts and callbacks. Shannon explained EVERYTHING from the filing process, to the appeals process and everything in-between in LAYMAN'S TERMS. If ever a disability attorney will be needed again for either family or friends, Shannon and Amanda will be the FIRST and ONLY recommendation from me!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen Thompson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I want to thank Shannon Doan, her team, and the Stanley Law Offices for the work they did on my son's disability case.  Not having to deal with all the paperwork required by Social Security was a welcomed relief as we navigated all the changes in our lives.  From the first meeting where Shannon explained the process and the possible outcomes, we felt we were in good hands.  Throughout the waiting, Shannon made contact every few weeks to see if we had any questions or new information that could strengthen his case.  After an initial denial, my son was awarded disability thanks to the work that Shannon and the Stanley Law office did on his behalf.  Thanks again!
  
 
  
  
 
 
  Showing only 5 star reviews

The Right PI Attorney Makes All The Difference.

After an accident, who you hire matters. We’ve spent years fighting for families just like yours – and we’re ready to fight for you.

Stanley Law Offices Is Near You

We have multiple locations throughout Upstate New York and PA. Contact the office near you. When you hire Stanley Law Offices, you get more than lawyers – you get advocates committed to your recovery who will get you the MAXIMUM award.

Seriously Injured?

For a Free Case Review

1-800-608-3333

Or fill out the form.