Being injured on a cruise ship can put a dampener on your vacation. You might be unable to participate in activities you had planned, or your injuries might even be severe enough that you need to disembark. Whether your injuries are severe or minor, it’s natural to be curious about whether you should seek legal action or even if it’s possible. Keep reading to learn why involving legal professionals is often a good idea:
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Maritime Laws Are Complicated
Even if you’re familiar with how personal injury laws are on land, maritime laws are different and can be complicated. Contact us today, a trusted cruise ship attorney, if you wish to proceed with filing a cruise ship accident claim. Most lawyers in this field have an in-depth understanding of the differences between laws on land and at sea, including:
Strict Filing Deadlines
You might think you have a great deal of time to file your personal injury claim, learn about the legal system, and put together a strong case. After all, the statute of limitations on land is typically one to six years, depending on your state.
However, the timeframe is far shorter at sea. Refer to your cruise ticket for more information. In most cases, you must provide written notice of your claim within six months of the incident. This is because the claims are governed by federal maritime law. This permits cruise lines to include clauses that shorten the time limits for filing lawsuits.
Cruise Line Tactics
While not all cruise lines are the same, they are renowned for aggressive defense tactics to minimize payouts, including strict filing deadlines, attempting to shift blame to passengers, and downplaying injuries.
For the average passenger with no prior legal knowledge, these tactics can be stressful and overwhelming. They may even deter passengers from pursuing further legal action. By hiring an experienced lawyer, you can sit back, focus on your recovery, and let them negotiate and communicate with the cruise line on your behalf.
Contract Challenges
You might be surprised by how much legal jargon can be included on the average cruise line ticket. Not only does your ticket provide access to your cruise ship, but it’s also a legal contract with clauses that can dictate where and how you can sue.
Interpreting that legal jargon can be time-consuming, and you won’t always gain a clear understanding of your rights and obligations. By hiring a lawyer, they can interpret it for you and put it into layman’s terms.
Evidence Gathering
Gathering strong evidence on a cruise ship is generally much harder than it is on land. You can’t simply walk into a business next to the incident and ask to see its CCTV footage. An attorney can assist with the formal request process for crucial documents, such as medical records and any recorded statements you made.
This information might otherwise be withheld if you weren’t familiar with the correct processes to follow. The more high-quality evidence you have, the stronger your case can be, and the higher your chances may be of bringing it to a successful conclusion.
Personal injury claims against cruise lines typically require a different approach than those filed on land due to significant legal differences. If you’re finding the process overwhelming or you’re encountering hurdles put up by the cruise line, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer to guide the way. They can fight for your right to the justice you deserve.
