A cruise can be the trip of a lifetime, but the experience can quickly become negative if you get seriously hurt. Obtaining fair compensation after an accident on a cruise can be complicated, so it is smart to enlist the assistance of an experienced maritime injury attorney as soon as you disembark.
A Houston cruise ship injury lawyer at Williams Hart & Boundas knows how to get you the compensation you deserve. If the cruise line was negligent and failed in its duty to provide a safe environment for your vacation, we can help you hold them accountable.
What Are the Common Cruise Ship Injuries?
Cruise ships have an obligation to keep the vessel as safe as possible, but serious accidents still occur. Medical care on board may be inadequate, and there could be significant delays before you receive appropriate care, which can reduce the chances of a full recovery.
Falls and safety equipment malfunctions can lead to head and spinal cord injuries. Some passengers suffer amputations or severe internal injuries. Crime is also a problem on cruise ships, and sometimes passengers sustain serious injuries in violent attacks and sexual assaults.
Tragically, some cruise ship injuries are fatal. Falls down stairs or overboard can lead to death, and drownings can occur in the ship’s pool or during excursions. If your loved one died of injuries suffered in any type of cruise ship accident, our Houston attorneys can pursue a wrongful death case against the cruise line.
Damages in a Cruise Ship Injury Case
If the cruise operator’s negligence led to your injury, you are entitled to sue for your financial losses or damages. Our attorneys in Houston can help you document your damages and will take your case to trial if necessary to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your cruise ship injury.
You can claim your medical expenses and any future care you will require due to your injuries. If you must take time off work to recover or if your injuries will permanently affect your ability to work, you can claim your lost wages and diminished earning potential.
You can also seek damages for your physical suffering and emotional anguish. The amount of your pain and suffering damages depends on factors such as your age and overall health, the extent of the change the injury made in your day-to-day life, and similar factors. In the case of permanent or catastrophic injuries, pain and suffering damages can be substantial.
Different Rules May Apply to Cruise Line Cases
Most people never read the ticket they receive when they buy a berth on a cruise. Unfortunately, the ticket is a contract, and the cruise line sets the terms.
Each cruise line sets a timeframe for you to sue, and most require you to file a lawsuit within one year. This is half the time you would usually have if you were suing for an accident that happened on land. The short timeframe is one reason that it is so crucial to contact a Houston lawyer as soon as possible after a cruise ship accident.
The ticket will also tell you where you have to file your lawsuit. Many major cruise lines require you to sue in Florida, but some set the venue in Texas, California, or another state. We can efficiently handle your case regardless of the venue the cruise line selected.
Contact Our Houston Attorneys if You Were Hurt on a Cruise Ship
Cruise lines make it difficult for you to get justice when their negligence causes a serious injury. You need an experienced Houston cruise ship injury lawyer to advocate for you. At Williams Hart & Boundas, we have a lengthy record of success representing injured people and securing compensation, so contact us today to discuss your case.