Hundreds of thousands of people take cruises every year. A cruise can be a fun and relaxing vacation to spend with your family or significant other.

But what happens if you get hurt on the cruise?

Cruise operators have a duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition, and if they fail to do so, regardless of what you were doing when you were injured, they may be held liable. 

However, in order to hold the cruise operator liable for your injuries and other losses, you will likely need the assistance of an experienced attorney. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cruise accident in California, call eAccidents at 844-400-0123 to discuss your case with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

What You Should Know About Cruise Accident Claims

Cruises offer a popular escape for couples and families who are looking to get away from it all for a while. But the fantasy can turn to harsh reality if an accident happens on board.

The good news, however, is that if you or a loved one is injured on a cruise, you may be entitled to file a cruise accident claim to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses, including:

• Medical expenses;
• The cost of your cruise ticket; 
• Pain and suffering; 
• Lost wages; 
• And more 

Some other things you should know about cruise accident claims are as follows:

• If you get hurt on a cruise, the claim needs to be brought properly, or you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses.

• Many cruises are already set up to handle accident claims from passengers. Many major cruise operators have their own risk management division to handle accident claims.

• Your contract may state where you have to bring the claim. Some get very specific, like requiring you to file a claim in federal court. If you file the lawsuit in the wrong court, your entire claim may be thrown out.

• Most cruises require you to give a written statement of your particular claim within a certain time frame, six months for example.

• Many cruise operators only allow you to sue them up to one year from the date of the incident. Any claim made after that may be barred forever.

• If you are injured during a shore excursion that was organized by the cruise, the cruise operator may also be liable for any injury you sustain while off the ship.

• Beware of the cruise operator offering to compensate you with a free cruise or other gifts. Accepting these gifts as compensation for your cruise accident may nullify any cruise accident claim you may want to file in the future.

What to Do After A Cruise Accident

Here are five important steps to take if you or a loved one is injured on a cruise:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Get checked out by a doctor to document your injuries. A medical report from a doctor can help prove that you were injured, as well as the extent of your injuries.

• Inform Ship Management

Inform someone from ship management so that you can explain to them what happened and have the incident documented. If you give a written statement to ship management, try to get a copy.

• Take Photos

If possible, take photographs of whatever condition caused your injuries. Injuries may heal over time, so also take pictures of any visible injuries you have. 

• Save Your Ticket

Be sure to save your ticket for the cruise. Your ticket will be essential to bringing a cruise accident claim. Furthermore, your ticket will outline the terms of the contract you signed with the cruise line and the jurisdiction that must be used for any lawsuit.

• Contact an Experienced Attorney

Contact an attorney that is experienced in cruise accident cases. Working with the right attorney will be very important if you have to file a lawsuit against the cruise operator. Cruise accident lawsuits must often be brought in federal court. This means that your attorney may have to be admitted to practice in the particular federal court district where the case must be filed.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise, or any activity related to a cruise line it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney who has experience handling cruise accident claims.

The right attorney can ensure that your claim is filed properly and in a timely manner, and that you are compensated fully for your injuries and other losses. Call eAccidents today at 844-400-0123 to arrange a free case evaluation with a qualified personal injury attorney.