Florida is often referred to as the cruise ship capital of the United States—if not the world. Whether it’s Cape Canaveral, Miami, or the Tampa Bay Area, cruise ships dock and leave Florida ports every day.

One of the most relaxing and fun vacations one can embark upon is a cruise on a luxury liner. Steaming along the open ocean with the sun shining down on you as you relax by the pool or taking a moonlit stroll along the deck of the ship sounds like a wonderful and romantic experience. Unfortunately, many of these cruise ships to not properly protect passengers from danger.

Hurt in a cruise ship accident? Contact our expert Orlando personal injury lawyers at 800-874-2577. Millions of dollars recovered for past clients!

The Danger of Cruise Ships

Cruise ships are built larger to keep up with this demand. Because of the immense size of these vessels, the maintenance, security, and seaworthiness is always a challenge for cruise line owners. The negligence of the crew, as well as the contractors and subcontractors who work on cruise ships, results in injuries that occur while the ship is at sea or in port. Accidents that happen on cruise ships can be subject to different laws than if those same accidents had occurred on land.

Some of the most common causes of cruise-related injuries include:

• Negligent security such as assault, including sexual assault, or battery by crew members or other passengers
• Food-borne illnesses from poor food handling or preparation.
• Insufficient safety measures or equipment for planned activities, either on board or during shore excursions
• Medical negligence of the shipboard medical staff
• Shipboard emergencies, such as fires, collisions, groundings or abandonment of the vessel
• Contaminated food
• Poorly designed evacuation plans
• Swimming pool, poolside and water slide accidents such as slip and falls or drowning

If you are injured on a cruise due to the possible negligence of the crew, a subcontractor, or the cruise line, you need to seek experienced guidance and counsel through this time. Most cruise lines also include fine print on tickets that limits the amount of time you have to pursue a claim against the company—often less than is generally stipulated by state or federal law. In addition, many cruise lines designate where they can be sued. This is usually the port of Miami where most cruise lines are headquartered.

Understand Your Rights After a Cruise Ship Accident

It can be important that you speak with an experienced cruise ship accident attorney in Florida to fully understand all of your rights and options. At Trial Pro, we don’t allow cruise lines to bully you into a quick and easy settlement. We can advise you on how to best preserve any evidence and begin building your case for you right away.

Our team is ready to help you. Contact us at 800-874-2577 for a free consultation—we boast offices in Miami, Orlando, Ft. Myers, Delray Beach, and others.