Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer Blog
A cruise ship accident can quickly turn a fun vacation into a tragedy, and it is critical to take prompt action in the aftermath. While US maritime law establishes a three-year statute of limitations, cruise contracts typically impose a much shorter deadline.
Plus, to best protect your rights, there are certain steps you need to take while still aboard. You support the efforts of your Miami cruise ship accident attorney when you follow a few important tips.
- Report Your Cruise Ship Injury Right Away
Report the incident to the ship staff immediately, even if the cruise is ending. Request that an official accident or incident report be created and obtain a copy. Reporting the injury before you disembark helps establish when and where it occurred, which is critical for protecting your legal rights under maritime law.
- Seek Immediate Medical Treatment for Cruise Ship Injuries
Before disembarking in Miami, seek medical attention from the ship’s medical center, regardless of whether your injury seems minor. You may not experience symptoms of some types of physical trauma right away, especially soft tissue injuries. Prompt treatment protects your health and shows that the injury was serious enough to require care. Delaying treatment may allow the cruise line to question whether the injury happened onboard.
- Get Medical Documentation After a Cruise Ship Accident
Request copies of all medical records related to your cruise ship injury, including:
- Treatment notes
- Discharge instructions
- Physician notes
- Diagnostic results
- Prescribed medications.
Obtaining complete medical documentation before your cruise ends helps ensure accuracy and prevents important records from being lost or altered.
- Avoid Signing Cruise Line Paperwork Before You Disembark
Cruise lines may ask injured passengers to sign incident statements, waivers, or settlement documents before disembarkation. Representatives from the cruise operator may even offer something of value, like a free cruise or on-board credit.
Do not sign anything without fully understanding its legal impact. The paperwork may contain a release of liability, which may limit your ability to pursue compensation later. You are not required to sign paperwork onboard, especially while injured, stressed, or medicated.
- Contact a Miami Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Still on Board
It is critical to reach out to a lawyer before you disembark, and there are advantages to retaining local counsel. An attorney familiar with cruise ship injury claims can explain your rights under maritime law and help you avoid costly mistakes. Early legal guidance is especially important because cruise tickets often contain strict deadlines and venue requirements that apply immediately after the cruise ends.
Trust a Miami Cruise Ship Accident Attorney to Advise You
These steps will protect your rights, especially when you get in touch with a cruise ship accident lawyer before you get off the ship. Timing is critical in cruise injury cases, as evidence can disappear quickly and strict deadlines may apply. With offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach near major cruise ports, Gerson & Schwartz, PA, has decades of experience representing injured passengers. For more information about your legal remedies, please call (305) 371-6000 to schedule a free consultation.