People going on cruises usually are not prepared for the possibility of injuries and health problems. A lot can go wrong on a cruise ship, and problems can include food-borne illnesses, slip and fall injuries, drowning, sexual assault, medical malpractice and contagious conditions such as norovirus. In this brief article, we will discuss suing a cruise line for injuries sustained at sea.
Is it Possible to Bring a Legal Action After an Onboard Injury?
When a person purchases a cruise ticket, they enter into a contract with the cruise line. Passengers are bound by conditions listed on their tickets or in accompanying documentation -; the possibility of a successful suit is determined by the presence of issues such as:
* Whether there are jurisdictional or time limits on the ability to bring legal action
* The presence of disclaimers
* Whether the passenger is required to notify the cruise line of their intent to sue
Timing the Lawsuit
If a person sustains an injury while on a cruise, they have only a short amount of time in which to bring legal action. Every state has a statute of limitations, which sets a time limit on filing a claim. A lawyer can tell clients whether they are within their state’s limits, and can offer case-specific legal advice.
Where to File Suit
Federal General Maritime Law and other regulations apply in injury suits involving cruise lines. However, some lines require passengers to follow certain rules, such as requiring disputes to be settled in a certain location regardless of where the passenger lives or where the ticket was bought. The difficulty and expense of traveling to another state for filing and court appearances often keeps passengers from filing personal injury claims against cruise lines.
Do Injured Passengers Need a Lawyer?
If a passenger sustains an injury or suffers an illness while on a cruise ship, they should review their ticket and meet with an attorney as soon as possible. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Allentown can help clients determine the validity of a claim and then choose a legal strategy that will yield the fairest reward possible.
