FAQs

Suffering a serious injury or other traumatizing experience on a cruise ship can leave victims disoriented and struggling with a number of questions about their rights under the law. For this reason, the legal professionals of Louis A. Vucci P.A. have collected the following frequently asked questions along with their relevant answers in order to help clarify these issues for cruise ship injury victims.

If your question isn’t here, or if you would rather speak directly with a qualified cruise ship injury lawyer, contact our offices today at (786) 375-0344.

A water slide on my cruise ship injured me. What can I do?

Water slide accidents are all too possible when a cruise ship management company or individual workers fail to maintain it properly. You might have bruising, lacerations, or broken bones, among other types of injuries and trauma. Whatever your injury, if the cruise ship water slide was not properly constructed, maintained, or monitored, you might not be responsible for paying for all of your injury-related costs.

Are lifeguards responsible for supervising my children at the pool?

It depends on the cruise ship and its rules and regulations. Lifeguard supervision is not mandated on some cruise ships, so parents assume the risk of their children being at the pools. On the other hand, a cruise ship may provide lifeguards and supervision at the pools, which could make them liable for the consequences of a child being injured. It’s important to remember that for a person to file a lawsuit in this situation, the lifeguard or cruise ship staff must have acted negligently in some way and, as a result, caused the injury or accident.

Can a negligent crew member be responsible for sexual assault?

Yes. In most cases, such a situation is due to negligence in security. Perhaps a security team failed to make its regular rounds or was somehow inattentive to its duties and responsibilities. This negligence can enable sexual assault on a cruise ship to occur, leaving innocent people the victim of a terrible crime.

Can cruise lines be held liable for injuries that occur during docking excursions?

Cruise lines commonly offer excursions, but that does not mean the cruise line is responsible for everything that happens when passengers are on the shore. Liability for cruise ship excursion injuries often depends on the cruise line’s involvement with the shore activities. It’s important to read your excursion ticket carefully to know if the cruise line is running the activity/tour or if another party is responsible.

How long will it take for my cruise ship claim to be settled?

Estimating how long an individual claim will take can be difficult, as the outcome depends on many things. However, one of the major determining factors is whether the defendant settles out of court or the claim has to go through a trial. Thus, if the cruise line or company contests your passenger claim, your case will likely take much longer than if the company decides to settle early.

Some other factors that could affect a claim include whether an in-depth investigation is necessary and if any appeals are filed.

How much compensation can I expect?

It is impossible to determine exactly how much compensation a person will get if they are successful in their personal injury claim. However, certain factors, such as how serious and life-altering the injury or loss is, will affect the compensation a plaintiff will likely be awarded.

The best way to get a good idea of how much compensation you might be able to expect is to talk with a lawyer from Louis A. Vucci P.A. today about your situation.

How much is a medical crew onboard liable for my worsening illness?

If you become ill onboard a cruise ship, generally, you will be taken to the ship’s medical crew to be evaluated, diagnosed, and, one hopes, treated appropriately. You have little choice but to put your faith in the medical crew’s hands, but if that faith ends up misplaced and you suffer further harm due to their treatment (or lack thereof), then the crew or its supervisor might be liable for the worsening of your illness.

If a medical crew fails to treat you appropriately or acts with blatant disregard, the attorneys from Louis A. Vucci P.A. might be able to help you get much-needed compensation. 

What happens if my food was contaminated on a cruise ship?

Food contamination is a real concern for those on board cruises and can lead to terrible illnesses. You may experience nausea, vomiting, or other violent stomach issues and could even need hospitalization. If your food is contaminated on a cruise ship, it could stem from negligence from the cooking staff, preparation staff, or even the supervisors and managers.

If you got sick from eating contaminated food on a cruise ship, contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. at (786) 375-0344 to speak with an attorney.

What if another passenger attacked me?

Passenger altercations are one of several ways you could be injured on a cruise ship. Though such incidents do not always make a person eligible to file a personal injury claim if a cruise ship’s security forces were inadequate or another form of negligence led to the altercation, the cruise ship management might be responsible for your injuries. Understanding when you are legally qualified to take action can be difficult on your own, though, which is why many people turn to a knowledgeable lawyer to get the guidance they need.

What is medical crew negligence?

Medical crew negligence is, unfortunately, a common problem on cruise ships, but knowing more about what constitutes negligence can help you better understand if you have been the victim of this type of negligence. Several of the most common types of medical crew negligence include the failure to diagnose, a wrong diagnosis, not acquiring informed consent, performing the incorrect medical procedure, or failing to treat an injured or ill person. Clearly, any of these actions (or inactions) could result in the injury or sickness of a cruise ship passenger, and that passenger might have recourse to legal action.

What is strict liability?

Strict liability is a legal term referring to an individual or organization’s financial responsibility for damages caused to others, regardless of whether or not the individual or organization in question was actually negligent or intended to cause harm. In most cases, cruise ships have strict liability for the actions of their staff, meaning that if staff members injure or otherwise harm passengers, the cruise ship company can be held responsible.

What is the statute of limitations for Cruise Ship Injury cases?

Under the law, injury victims have a limited amount of time to bring forward a claim for compensation against those responsible for their injury. This is known in legal terms as the statute of limitations. For most cruise ship injuries, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for damages is extremely strict and, in some cases, is as short as one year.

The statute of limitations for cruise ship injuries is actually printed on a passenger’s ticket, but in most cases, people aren’t aware that this information is listed here, making it possible for them to miss their opportunity to take legal action should they fail to file suit within the statute of limitations.

What questions should I ask an attorney?

There are many things that you might consider asking an attorney in an initial interview when considering filing a civil claim. Though many likely relate to your specific situation, some common questions potential claimants find beneficial to ask include:

Have you won any cases like mine before?
How much do you charge? Do your fees ever vary?
How will I be able to get in touch with you during the case?
What can you do about the enforcement of court orders?

These questions can provide the answers you need to get a good sense of an attorney’s fit for your personality and unique case. Call us at (786) 375-0344 for more information about your first consultation.

What should I do if I had a slip-and-fall accident on a cruise ship?

If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is important to first seek medical attention for any injuries you may have incurred. You should also document any details of the incident. This includes taking photos of the hazard that caused your accident, documenting any injuries, pain, or discomfort you experienced, and gathering the contact information of any witnesses.

You may be owed compensation after sustaining a slip and fall injury on a cruise ship. Discuss how a cruise ship’s staff or owner might be responsible for this accident by calling (786) 375-0344. Our legal team can help you understand your legal options in this situation.

What should I do if I’ve been sexually assaulted on a cruise ship?

Sexual assault or rape should never be tolerated, no matter where the ship may be located at the time of the assault. The first things to do if you have become the victim of sexual assault on a cruise ship are to report the incident to authorities and seek medical treatment. You should also request a rape kit from the ship infirmary so that those responsible for the attack can be brought to justice.

Sexual assault can be traumatizing, especially if you are stuck on a cruise ship. If this assault happened due to the negligence or reckless actions of a cruise ship staff, we may be able to help you fight for the justice you need.

Who is responsible for my medical costs after a cruise ship accident?

After suffering an injury or illness onboard a cruise ship, you could face huge medical costs, depending on the injury or illness. Sometimes, medical costs even extend into hundreds of thousands of dollars. While this is not the case for everyone injured on a cruise ship, some people in this situation might be able to get compensation from the cruise ship owner, manager, or other responsible parties.

Who is to blame for a physical assault on board a cruise ship?

It depends. A physical assault, or where another person attacks you, can be the fault of exclusively that other person. However, in some cases, the cruise ship management can also be implicated. For example, if a cruise ship had little to no security or actively ignored safety hazards, it might be responsible for assaults. The best way to determine who is at fault for your injuries in a physical assault, though, is to discuss, in detail, your situation with an experienced legal representative.

Why do I need an attorney?

Cruise ship injury victims are often forced to contend with serious consequences as a result of their injury, including costly medical bills, lost income, and other problems. However, it can be extremely difficult for injury victims to pursue compensation for these consequences on their own, particularly because the statute of limitations on injury claims is only one year. Many cruise ships, aware of this fact, seek to delay legal action until it’s too late.

If you want to learn more about how an attorney can help you with your case, contact us today at (786) 375-0344 to speak with a qualified legal professional.