Orange County Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys
What Types of Accidents Happen on Cruise Ships?
Cruise ships are like floating mini-cities, with fine dining and drinking, shopping, casinos, and shows. You can book a massage, work out at the fitness center, take an exercise class, or relax by the pool. Although taking a cruise is synonymous with luxurious living, sometimes, things go wrong. Accidents and injuries can occur, often due to negligence. If you have been injured while on a cruise ship, you may have a personal injury claim for compensation.
Cruise ships are an environment where a variety of accidents and injuries can occur, including crimes committed by other passengers. Common types of injuries on cruise ships include:
- Getting hit by falling objects
- Slip and fall accidents
- Swimming pool or water slide accidents
- Injuries while boarding or exiting the ship
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Medical malpractice
- Falling overboard (rarely)
How Can Negligence on a Cruise Ship Lead to Accidents?
Negligence on a cruise ship can be disastrous. It can cause the ship to collide with another vessel, tilt, or run aground, causing passengers to suffer falls and other injuries. Cruise line negligence leading to damages can occur in many forms, including:
- Understaffing
- Lack of emergency protocols and equipment
- Improper screening and training of personnel
- Inadequate security
- Navigation or operation errors
- Lack of proper maintenance and repair of the ship
- Poor lighting
- Poorly maintained walking surfaces
- Poorly trained or negligent medical personnel
Cruise Ships as Common Carriers
Cruise ships are considered common carriers and have a higher duty of care than retail stores and other businesses. They are required by law to ensure that every public part of the ship is safe for passenger use. If hazards exist onboard, ship crew members must adequately warn passengers. U.S. passengers are also protected under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which entitles passengers to remain safe at all times.
Liability for Cruise Ship Injuries
Most cruise ships require passengers to sign a waiver stating that the company is not responsible for accidents or injuries that may occur while the passenger is onboard. However, these waivers do not exonerate the cruise line from negligent or careless actions that cause injuries. If you were injured as a passenger on a cruise ship, you may be entitled to pursue compensation regardless of the waiver you signed.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Cruise lines and ship personnel may be held liable if their negligence created a hazardous condition onboard the ship that caused your injuries. However, legal issues involved in cruise ship accidents and injuries can be complex. This type of case may involve several areas of law, including personal injury, product liability, premises liability, or wrongful death. For your best chance of recovering full and fair compensation for your injuries, you need an experienced personal injury attorney by your side.
Why Choose Us?
- Our firm was founded in 1974 and our Orange County personal injury lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have more than four decades of experience.
- Unlike other lawyers, we will keep you fully informed about your case in real-time. We offer communication specific to your needs, not ours. Our firm treats people with dignity.
- Our attorneys have a successful track record of recovering compensation for our clients. We have won hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
We offer a free consultation with no obligation, and no time limits or restrictions. If you have been injured in a cruise ship accident or assaulted, contact Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie at (949) 752-7474 to schedule a consultation. We can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.
Additional Information
- Dealing with Summer Travel and COVID-19
- Passenger Cruise Ship Information | U.S. Department of Transportation
- Cruise Ship Guidance - Quarantine and Isolation - CDC
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You were wonderful throughout my case. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the process so that I could feel comfortable. When I was hurt, I really did not know where to turn and Suzanne was comforting and knowledgable. Thanks again for all you did.
- H.P.
