Maritime Law / Practice / Cruise Ship Lawyers / Cruise Blog

Because cruises provide so many legal advantages for businesses in the tourism sector, most legal cases can be tough, often with no insurance company. 

• Non-disclosure agreements that seek to keep the names of those who are harmed, go missing or die on cruise lines.
• United States courts lack jurisdiction over cruise ship crew members for incidents outside recognized territory, etc.
• Cruise lines refuse to accept responsibility for injured crew members and voyagers, as well as their bait-and-switch tactics they use to make cruise  victims think their claim is invalid.

Our maritime lawyers in Los Angeles have a proven track record of overcoming these hurdles in order to ensure that accident victims profit from the legal framework of the domestic or foreign legal jurisdiction a specific claim falls under. Our lead cruise ship accident lawyer understands the numerous, bad faith legal methods cruise lines use. Los Angeles cruise lines hate paying accident cases, but we can help assure cruise ship accident victims receive their entitled to benefits.

We Take Cases to Trial

We handle cruise industry mishaps that result in injuries to you or your family at sea. Our efforts at the Port of Los Angeles are directed at making your conditions better. We will prepare and try your negligence lawsuits and give you the peace of mind that your individual cruise ship accident case is handled in your best interests. Our cruise ship attorneys also take the time to thoroughly and comprehensively examine the specifics of your case. We’ll provide your accident-injury case with the personal attention you deserve as well as an ethical, legal specialist answering your questions and taking swift action on behalf of injured clients. Our California law firm’s champion team works tirelessly to keep you fully informed about the progress of your case and expected dollars in compensation for cruise ship accident victims.

The cruise industry generated more than $42 billion for the US economy in 2012 with economic activity supporting many types of jobs (350,000), generating $17 billion annually. The average types of individuals to experience a trip will be 46-year-olds, with an above-average household income of $93,000 per year. Travel aboard cruise ships has improved considerably. Many of the newer major cruise vessels field cutting-edge entertainment, with innovations such as Internet cafés, Wi-Fi zones, bowling alleys, rock-climbing walls, fitness centers, swimming pools, spas, wave machines, water slides, and other dangers placing many people at risk for lifetime injuries or wrongful death.

For the vast majority of cruise ship passengers, things work out. But unforeseen events while aboard do arise at sea.

• The passenger ticket/boarding pass: You’ll typically receive a ten-page ticket with a very small type. Read it. This ticket will impact several critical rights. What if you have cruise ship injury claims as a result of the ship’s negligence? You must file a timely claim or you will be out of luck. Many people, including many attorneys, assume injured passengers have longer to claim and finally sue. They are wrong!
• Applicable Maritime Rules? Don’t assume you’re in the United States on a cruise ship. Look at the vessel’s flag. You’re in the Bahamas if it’s Bahamian, and so on for Panama and so forth. There are some exceptions for a cruise ship accident. Our cruise ship accident lawyer can help.
• What About Medical Care On A Cruise Ship? Don’t count the ship’s doctor in as a good surgeon or physician. If you have a health issue, check with the cruise ship company in advance. Make sure standards are acceptable. Some are better than others. Never sail on a vessel that employs a psychiatrist to treat broken arm or bad head injury.
• What About Crimes At Sea? On cruise ships, you must understand how cruise ship companies have historically handled accident cases, virus outbreaks (Covid 19, etc.), and criminal incidents. Your children are also at risk on cruise ships. Make sure someone you trust is keeping an eye on your loved one. Young children have been sexual assault victims aboard cruise ships. Never open your cabin door, not even for cruise ship crew members without checking first. Never think cruise line companies will protect your rights after a cruise ship accident. After a cruise ship accident, the cruise line company will protect its financial interest over its passengers. That is how it’s always been with cruise ships. Cruise ship employees will hamper your case compensation.

Every cruise ship is registered in a different country and flies a foreign flag and regulations in foreign countries are always less favorable than U.S. laws. An incident on a ship that departs from Miami, may fall under the purview of either Florida state law, federal legislation, or the country the ship is registered. International treaties also apply to cruise ship accidents that take place aboard ships. It’s a nightmare to negotiate cruise ship injuries without the right cruise ship injury lawyer.

Cruse law is a highly specialized practice area. Common cruise ship injuries, and wrongful death include:

• Cruise Ship Man Overboard (MOB) Falling Overboard Drownings
• Gangplank Accident (Slip and Fall Accidents)
• Cruise Ship Missing At Sea Disappearances
• Shore Excursion Recreation Accident
• Cruise Ship Swimming Pool Drowning
• Cruise Ship Explosions or Fires
• Assaults and Rape
• Car Accident
• Dingy Accident

We will work tirelessly to help you recover monetary compensation for all cruises departing or arriving at LA’s two ports, including:

• Deadly Viral or Bacterial Infections
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Severe Burn Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Broken Ankle
• Broken Knee
• Food Poisoning

Spinal cord injuries and head injuries from slipping on wet decks are common.

Maritime law of the sea governs cruise ship accidents (unique combination of legal and common carrier rules here.) Major cruise companies typically include special provisions in their passenger ticket agreements to limit the period during a customer can file a lawsuit against a cruise line (Typically one year). In comparison, it’s three years to file a lawsuit under admiralty laws. (Cruise ship crew members have other rules.)

A cruise ship employee won’t help resolve your severe injury case. The passage contract may restrict your lawsuit rights with rules and a time limit for filing a lawsuit to one year or less, even though statute of limitations in an admiralty case is usually three years.

Receive a Free Consultation With a Cruise Ship Accident Attorney In Los Angeles

The attentive cruise ship accident lawyers at our Long Beach office will handle your injury claims on a contingent fee basis. You won’t pay anything unless we achieve successful compensation. Our leadership and legal advice cost you nothing upfront. Act Quickly and form an attorney-client relationship. Los Angeles cruise ship lawyers will come to you, or you can come to any one of our convenient statewide offices, or other location, whatever your circumstances. Our fully prepared, peer-rated attorneys will work tirelessly to defend your rights. We are available 24 hours a day, so contact us today for a free consultation about your potential accident case with a skilled attorney. Call us at (213) 596-9642 for case validation purposes.