Cruise ships are a fun way to vacation. You can enjoy a variety of activities, meet new people and have some time off work. However, these vessels can also cause problems if you are injured or sick while aboard.
Getting hurt on a cruise ship can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages if you can’t return to work, mental anguish, and even permanent disability. This is why it is important to understand what to do if you get hurt on a cruise ship so that you can pursue compensation for your losses.
First, seek medical care. Many cruise ships have a physician and nurses on board to treat minor, nonemergency conditions. They also have arrangements to take passengers to a hospital if necessary.
Next, report the accident to the ship’s staff or security officers as soon as possible. This will help them document the incident and create an internal investigation.
It’s also a good idea to report the accident to local authorities, as well. This can help you avoid any jurisdictional issues that may have arisen when you try to file a claim.
If you are not sure if you have a case, you should always speak to an experienced maritime attorney before making any decisions about your situation. A lawyer can conduct a comprehensive analysis of your case and let you know whether you have a valid claim against the cruise line.
Collect Witnesses and Photos
A successful personal injury claim on a cruise ship or other maritime vessel requires evidence of negligence. That evidence can come in the form of documents, records, reports, video, photographs and witnesses statements.
You should collect the names and contact information of all people who witnessed your accident or injury as soon as possible. These can include crew members, people who saw you being transported off the ship and anyone who could provide evidence about the conditions at the time of the incident.
Lastly, you should make notes of the time and place of the accident so that you can easily locate it later on. It is also a good idea to ask for and keep copies of any medical records you have.
When you are filing a claim against a cruise line, it is critical to follow all the guidelines and stipulations that the cruise line sets for bringing claims against them. These terms and conditions are written by cruise ship company lawyers with one purpose in mind – to minimize their liability and protect themselves from lawsuits.
These stipulations may include time limits on filing claims and the jurisdiction in which the claim must be filed. Having an experienced attorney navigate these complicated legal aspects of the claim process can make all the difference in the outcome.
Having an experienced attorney working with you will help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. An attorney can also guide you through the entire process and make sure that you are able to pursue your claim to the fullest extent of the law.
