Florida Cruise Line Negligence Lawyers
Trusted Legal Representation for Cruise Ship Injuries
Cruise vacations are meant to be relaxing. An injury changes everything.
If you’ve been hurt on a cruise ship — whether onboard, during an excursion, or due to unsafe conditions — you may have a legal claim. Injured passengers are often unaware of their rights under maritime law, or how to hold a cruise line accountable.
At The Cruise Injury Law Firm, we represent victims of cruise ship injuries, onboard medical malpractice, assault, and excursion accidents. This is not a side practice — cruise injury law is all we do.
We know the laws. We know the cruise lines. We know how to win.
Common Cruise Ship Injury Cases We Handle
Cruise ships operate like small cities — but often without the same safety standards. Passengers can suffer serious harm due to carelessness, neglect, or poor medical care. Here’s how we help.
- Slip and Fall Accidents
Wet decks, unmarked hazards, or dimly lit stairs are some of the most common causes of injury at sea. When cruise staff fail to keep public areas safe, they put passengers at risk for fractures, spinal damage, or head injuries.
We help clients pursue full compensation in these preventable accidents.
Cruise ships must provide emergency medical services — but many employ contractors with limited training or outdated facilities. Misdiagnoses, delayed evacuations, and medication errors are more common than passengers realize.
If a ship’s doctor or nurse failed to provide adequate care, you may have a malpractice claim.
- Assaults and Negligent Security
Cruise lines have a legal obligation to keep passengers safe from assault and harassment. Unfortunately, crew members and fellow passengers can become threats, especially when security is poorly trained or underfunded.
We’ve handled cases involving both physical and sexual assaults due to negligent cruise security.
- Shore Excursion Injuries
If a cruise-endorsed excursion resulted in your injury — whether it was a zipline accident, van crash, or snorkeling mishap — you may still have a claim. Cruise lines can be liable if they failed to vet third-party tour operators or provide safety warnings.
Many passengers don’t realize they can sue even if the accident occurred off the ship.
- Crew Member Negligence
From serving scalding drinks to leaving equipment unsecured, cruise ship employees are responsible for many injuries. If a crew member’s carelessness contributed to your harm, the cruise line may be held liable under maritime law.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Cruise lines owe passengers a duty of care. When they breach it, they can be sued.
In many cases, more than one party shares liability:
- The cruise company (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL)
- Medical contractors or onboard physicians
- Third-party excursion vendors
- Security teams or crew members
Our legal team conducts full investigations to determine exactly who is responsible and how to maximize your compensation.
Maritime Law and the Jones Act: What You Need to Know
What Is Maritime Law?
Cruise ship injury claims are governed by maritime law, also called admiralty law. These laws are very different from standard land-based personal injury laws. They control how, where, and when you can file your lawsuit.
What’s in Your Ticket Contract?
Every cruise ticket includes a “contract of carriage,” which often contains:
- A forum selection clause (e.g., requiring you to sue in Miami)
- A short statute of limitations (as little as 6 months)
- Waivers or disclaimers — some enforceable, some not
Don’t assume you’re out of options. We know how to challenge these provisions.
Does the Jones Act Apply?
If you were a crew member, you may be covered under the Jones Act, a federal law protecting injured seamen. The Jones Act allows workers to sue for negligence, unsafe conditions, and failure to provide medical care.
Whether you’re a passenger or employee, we will determine the best legal path forward under the applicable maritime rules.
How to File a Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit
Step 1: Report the Incident Immediately
Notify ship personnel. Demand a written report and keep a copy. If you delay reporting, the cruise line may try to claim the injury never happened.
Step 2: Document Everything
Take photos of the scene and your injuries. Gather witness names and statements. These details are critical — especially when memories fade or cruise records go missing.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
Visit the ship’s infirmary, request treatment records, and follow up with a physician when you return home. This creates a clear medical timeline.
Step 4: Avoid Signing Anything
Do not sign any cruise line documents or settlements without a lawyer reviewing them first. These may waive your right to sue.
Step 5: Call a Cruise Injury Attorney
Time limits on cruise claims are strict. Let us evaluate your case for free and help you act fast to protect your rights.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be entitled to:
- Emergency and ongoing medical bills
- Lost income or earning ability
- Future care and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one passed away
We work with economists and medical professionals to fully calculate your damages — and pursue the maximum recovery.
Why Choose The Cruise Injury Law Firm?
We’re Specialists in Maritime Injury Law
Most personal injury firms handle a few cruise cases per year. We handle cruise injury claims exclusively, every single day.
We Know Cruise Line Tactics
Cruise companies have powerful legal teams and insurance carriers. We’ve faced them — and won — in courts across the country.
We Offer Personalized Representation
You’ll work directly with experienced attorneys, not just a case manager. We keep you informed, empowered, and in control of your case.
We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a cruise line if I was injured on board?
Yes, you can sue a cruise line if your injury was caused by negligence, unsafe conditions, or misconduct by the crew. Cruise lines owe a legal duty of care to their passengers. If they fail to meet this duty — for example, by not cleaning up a spill that caused you to fall, or by failing to provide timely medical care — they can be held legally responsible under maritime law. Every case is fact-specific, so it’s important to speak with an experienced maritime injury lawyer to determine if you have a viable claim.
What should I do right after getting injured on a cruise ship?
If you are injured on a cruise, the first step is to report the incident to cruise personnel and ask for a written report. Make sure to take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any visible hazards. Seek medical attention on board, but also follow up with a qualified doctor once you return home. Avoid signing any documents presented by the cruise line, and contact a cruise injury attorney as soon as possible. Quick action can preserve evidence and protect your legal rights, especially since many cruise lines have short deadlines for filing claims.
Is the cruise line responsible if I was injured during a shore excursion?
The cruise line may still be held liable, even if the injury occurred off the ship during a shore excursion. If the excursion was sold, promoted, or organized by the cruise company, and it failed to ensure the safety of that activity or provider, then the cruise line could be legally responsible for any resulting injuries. Excursion liability is a complex area of maritime law, and each case requires a thorough evaluation of the facts and any contractual terms.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit against a cruise line?
Most cruise lines impose very short deadlines to file a claim — often just six months to provide written notice of the injury, and one year to formally file a lawsuit. These deadlines are usually buried in the fine print of your cruise ticket contract, but they are legally enforceable in most cases. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to pursue compensation forever. That’s why it’s essential to speak with a maritime attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
Do I need a lawyer who specializes in cruise ship injuries?
Yes. Cruise injury cases are not the same as regular personal injury claims. They involve specialized areas of law like maritime negligence, international jurisdiction, the Jones Act, and forum selection clauses. A general personal injury lawyer may not be familiar with the nuances of cruise contracts or the requirements for filing in specific courts like the Southern District of Florida, where many cruise lines require claims to be brought. Hiring an attorney with specific experience in cruise ship injury law gives you a significant advantage.
Contact The Cruise Injury Law Firm Today
A cruise ship injury can derail your life. But you don’t have to face the cruise line alone. At The Cruise Injury Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of passengers and crew members recover damages for their suffering.
You may only have months to file, so don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
