The Villages Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys

What You Need to Know About Cruise Ship Accidents

When enjoying a relaxing holiday on a cruise ship, the last thing on your mind is what happens if things go wrong and you get injured. Unfortunately, a quick glance at the headlines over the past two years shows that cruise ship accidents are becoming more and more common. Although your injuries technically fall under the auspices of personal injury law – similar to the law that governs car accidents – because of the unique nature of the cruise industry, cruise ship accident claims are particularly complex.

For instance, with a cruise ship accident you will be bringing a claim against the cruise ship company, which could be registered in a foreign country. The determination of which country’s laws apply to your claim depends on where the cruise ship is registered. For example, if the ship carries a Bahamas registration, then the law of the Bahamas will govern your claim. On top of this, your injury will have likely happened while out at sea, meaning maritime law could be applicable.

Cruise companies are also well prepared to limit your right to bring a claim against them. Chances are you have a cruise ticket that contains many pages of fine print that you never even glanced at. Within this small print there is likely to be information on your rights if you get injured while on their cruise ship that you agreed to by purchasing the ticket. For example, typically there will be a provision limiting the time you have to file a claim to one year.

There is also the complexity of determining who is liable for your injuries. For example, a cruise often involves the services of numerous companies (the owner, the operating company, the travel agency that sold you the ticket, etc.). Due to the complexities of corporate structuring, understanding who is responsible can quickly become frustrating.

In short, this complex legal system favors the cruise ship companies. To ensure you are able to navigate through these many legal hoops, it is essential you call on the services of an experience cruise ship accident attorney. Since 1977, Marion County personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has been helping cruise ship accident victims in The Villages receive justice and fair compensation. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your cruise ship accident injuries, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., at 352-419-0825 for a free initial consultation.