Can I Sue a Cruise Line for Negligence? Nationwide Cruise Ship Injury Support from Perkins Law Offices, a Law Firm with Years of Maritime Experience.
By Trusted Cruise Ship Lawyer, Alex Perkins Miami, FL
When a cruise results in an injury due to negligence, passengers can generally sue the cruise line in the United States if the cruise voyage touched a US port. And depending on the cruise line and your ticket terms and conditions, injured passengers may sometimes till sue the cruise in the United States. There is no doubt that there are legal complexities that span maritime and personal injury law when they combine together when a cruise passenger is injured at Sea. At Perkins Law Offices, we provide nationwide representation for clients seeking justice for cruise line negligence, ensuring your rights are protected under U.S. maritime law.
What an injured passenger cannot do, is wait too long before taking action. Cruise line injury cases have tight a statute of limitations of usually on one year with a special 6 month written notice letter requirement. If you do not properly comply with both, you forfeit your right to bring a lawsuit of claim against the cruise line for negligence. The only exception is for a minor who is injured, you may get up to 3 years. But that is the exception, not the rule. To lean more out how you may lose your chance to bring a lawsuit if you wait too long thinking the cruise ship is going to do the right thing, click below.
Can I sue a cruise line for negligence?
Understanding Cruise Line Negligence
Cruise lines owe passengers a duty of care, encompassing safety protocols, proper staffing, well-maintained facilities, and accurate warnings of potential hazards. A breach of this duty, when it causes harm, can form the basis of a negligence claim. But just because and injury happens on a cruise, does not mean the cruise line is automatically liable. The cruise line is, just like any hotel or department store on land, is not the guarantor of your safety G-d forbid disaster strikes on your cruise. The cruise line, through its crew or other employees of agents, must have committed some careless action or inaction that was not reasonable which proximate resulted in an injury to your body physically. In maritime law, it is not enough just to have an emotional injury. There must be physical injury or impact. In other words, a passenger cannot just bring a personal injury claim for “emotional distress”. A bodily injury is necessary.
Key Elements of Negligence
To pursue a successful case, four elements must be established:
Duty of Care — Cruise lines are legally obligated to maintain safe conditions for passengers.
Breach of Duty — Evidence that the cruise line failed to uphold its safety standards.
Causation — Demonstrating that the breach directly caused your injury.
Damages — Proving the physical, emotional, and financial harm suffered as a result.
At Perkins Law Offices, our attorneys meticulously examine incident reports, cruise line protocols, and maritime regulations to build a compelling case for clients nationwide. We have been handling cruise ship cases for passengers from all over the world. We are recognized across the country as having expertise cruise ship maritime cases. and importantly, the cruise lines do too.
Common Types of Cruise Ship Negligence
Cruise passengers can experience injuries due to various forms of negligence, including but not limited to:
Slip and Fall Accidents — Wet decks, poorly maintained flooring, and inadequate signage.
Onboard Assaults or Security Failures — Instances where the cruise line failed to protect passengers from harm.
Medical Negligence — Delays or errors in onboard medical treatment.
Excursion-Related Injuries — Accidents during shore excursions organized by the cruise line. These can be very complicated jurisdictionally and due to waivers passengers sign, but we have handled many.
Overboard or Drowning Accidents — Failures in safety barriers or supervision.
Gangway Accidents — Ramps and gangways can collapse, be worn out, slippery, broken or too steep causing trip and falls and slip and falls.
- Staircase falls — Stair design on cruise ship can be dangerous, or carpet can be sagging, nosing and end plates can be loose, tread can be worn out, steps could be slippery and wet.
Each incident type requires careful legal analysis, as different negligence claims may invoke varying maritime law statutes, including the Jones Act or general maritime law. A death could involve DOHSA, the Death on the High Seas Act.
National Representation for Cruise Line Negligence
A unique aspect of cruise line claims is their national scope. Injuries may occur off U.S. waters, in international ports, or aboard foreign-flagged vessels. Perkins Law Offices is equipped to handle claims across the United States, ensuring:
Thorough investigation of the incident, regardless of location.
Coordination with maritime authorities, insurance companies, and medical experts.
Filing claims in the proper jurisdiction to maximize your compensation.
- Representing passers from all over the United State and the World.
Evidence Collection and Building a Case
Perkins Law offices a/k/a Perkins Personal Injury Lawyers, is rated among the best personal injury lawyers in Florida in the cruise ship injury space. Years of accolades from SuperLawyers and being rated AV Preeminent by Martindale AVVO, Perkins Law Offices is known for its successful handling of negligence claims for client nationwide. Evidence and intimate knowledge of the industry is now more important than ever in federal court to maintain a successful case as the Courts have gotten more strict in how lawyers must bring their complaints. Our attorneys focus on:
- Other Similar Incidents from our data base and investigation
Passenger and crew statements.
Onboard surveillance and incident logs.
Medical records and expert evaluations.
Cruise line safety inspections and regulatory compliance records.
By establishing a clear chain of duty, breach, causation, and damages, we strengthen your position in both settlement negotiations and courtroom proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sue a cruise line for negligence if the accident occurred on a foreign-flagged ship?
Yes. U.S. maritime law often applies, and Perkins Law Offices can pursue claims on behalf of passengers injured abroad. It does not alter what flag the ship is registered under. More importantly is what your ticket contract terms and conditions say and often whether the cruise voyage touched a Unites States port.
2. How long do I have to file a negligence claim against a cruise line?
Generally, claims must be filed within one year of the incident, though this varies depending on the cruise line and jurisdiction.
3. Are shore excursion accidents covered under cruise line negligence?
Yes they can be. A cruise line still has a duty to get passengers safely from ship to shore, even if they are not controlling the actual means of transport to to excursion. Think tender and ferry boats to go snorkeling or to a volcano or private island. Once on the excursion it can get more complicated, especially if a pre-liability waiver is signed and because the cruise line ticket contact disavows being responsible for the negligence of their vendors or contractors. But even then, there can be circumstances the cruise line could be held responsible if they know of the danger of problem with the vendor. Cruise lines are responsible for some injuries caused during shore excursions they organize or endorse if the facts can be established.
4. What compensation can I recover from a cruise line negligence claim?
Money damages. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages. We do not pursue discounts or credits for past or future cruises, This is all about money damages potentially collectable in court.
5. Do I need a U.S. attorney if my cruise was international?
Absolutely. Nationally experienced maritime attorneys ensure your rights are protected and claims are properly filed.
Why Choose Perkins Law Offices?
At Perkins Law Offices, we offer authoritative, nationwide representation for cruise passengers injured due to negligence. Our approach is grounded in expertise, meticulous legal analysis, and a commitment to justice, reflecting the high standards expected of maritime injury claims. DO NOT WORRY IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN FLORIDA. We handle cases for folks all over the world. In today’s technological world a lot of work is handled remotely and rarely if ever will you be required to travel. We handle everything, even the costs of the litigation related expenses. You pay nothing.
With offices in Miami and experience handling claims across all U.S. states, our attorneys provide:
Direct consultation to assess liability and claim viability.
- Zoom video conferencing
Comprehensive guidance on maritime law, cruise line contracts, and regulatory compliance.
- We pay all costs of litigation
Aggressive negotiation strategies with insurance companies and cruise lines.
- Electronic sign up and contracts-NO NEED TO TRAVEL TO FLORIDA
Your case deserves a dedicated national team that understands the intricacies of cruise ship negligence law and can secure the compensation you deserve. We got your back!
Contact Perkins Law Offices Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to cruise line negligence, contact Perkins Law Offices for a national consultation. Protect your rights and hold negligent cruise lines accountable. 305-741-5297
