Cruise Ship Accidents

When accidents occur over navigational waters, Maritime Laws can limit a cruise ship passenger’s right to compensation. A cruise line is liable for an accident over navigational waters on one of their ships only if the passenger can prove that the ship operator should have known about the unsafe condition that caused the accident. In non-navigational waters, laws are a little stricter, and the cruise liner has more liability for incidents that occur.

Cruise ship accidents and incidents can be classified as:

Disasters (sinking, grounding, capsizing, collision, allision, pirate attacks, pollution, crashes mechanical (fire, propulsion issues, power loss)
Land tours/shore excursions (Cruise companies often argue that tour operators are wholly independent, but it is often apparent that tour operators are either cruise line agents or joint ventures with the companies)
Sickness/illness outbreaks (Norovirus/GastroIntestinal, Influenza, Legionellosis/aka “Legionnaires disease”)
Deaths (overboard jumps/missing passengers and crew members, drowning in ship pools, critical traumas, murder, suicide, Myocardial infarction/heart attack)
Injuries (rape, assault, battery, fractures by accidental falling/slipping)
Rogue waves (may reach a height of up to 100 ft)
Collisions (cruise vessels often sink, hitting the sea bottom /rocks and reefs)
Norovirus illness (an average of 15 virus outbreaks on cruise ships happen annually).

According to CLIA, 90% of all commercial vessels calling on US ports are foreign-flagged. Standard cruise ship flag-states are the Bahamas, Panama, Bermuda, Malta, Italy, and Holland. When a person on the vessel’s manifest disappears, an official report must be sent to the flag country. Surprisingly, most legal cases involving cruise ships occur in Los Angeles, where the most extensive cruise ship line Carnival and its subsidiaries Princess, Holland America, and eight others, have been given sole jurisdiction over claims. Even though your cruise ship never entered California waters, you must retain an attorney in Los Angeles County, where the jurisdiction lies. Pay attention to your ticket, which contains the jurisdiction over and time to present claims, with most cruise ship lines requiring that you formally present a claim within six months.

When an incident occurs to a passenger, the cruise line usually rejects blame and attempts to force him/her to seek recovery against the tour operator. However, as an experienced maritime lawyer, Arthur Liberty can successfully battle such legal deceits, establish jurisdiction over the tour company, and prove the cruise line’s and tour company’s negligence. Cruise ship injury lawyers can uncover contacts between foreign tour companies and the USA in order to establish Court’s jurisdiction over foreign tour providers. Cruise lawyers can pinpoint where the cruise ship line failed to provide the safety and welfare of its customers.

The four biggest ever mistakes a passenger can possibly make are:

Failing to read and understand the terms and conditions of the cruise ticket contract
Failing to report the cruise incident (injury, crime) immediately after it occurred
Settling for less
Not seeking proper medical care.

Maritime law is often confusing even to experts. Get in touch with an experienced attorney like Arthur Liberty specializes in cruise ship accident claims to help you avoid these common mistakes and receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

FOCUSING ON COMPENSATION

Arthur Liberty has the experience and knowledge necessary when contending with cruise ship accidents. With over three decades of experience, Arthur Liberty has the resources and is the dedicated Santa Monica cruise ship accident lawyer you need to follow through with your claim.

Arthur Liberty will thoroughly investigate the facts of the accident to determine the legal strategy to take in your particular situation. During your initial consultation, he will thoroughly discuss your case, including potential sources of information not readily apparent, including potential witnesses, video and audio recordings, which must be acquired quickly before they are recorded over, law enforcement reports, and investigation whose initial conclusions can be altered if quickly dealt with early on. Arthur Liberty will try to answer all of your questions. He is committed to providing you with personal attention throughout your claim and will pursue every possible means of compensation on your behalf. Whether you have medical costs, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, his efforts will be focused on maximizing your potential settlement.

It is never easy to get through a difficult situation where you suffer a cruise ship accident. Arthur Liberty will strive to provide caring and compassionate representation. His goal is simple: resolve your claim fairly, effortlessly, and quickly. If your case requires that a lawsuit be pursued, rest assured that as an experienced and successful attorney, Arthur Liberty will still have the same goal.

Contact Arthur Liberty to discuss your cruise ship accident claim.