Cowen Edwards represents cruise accident victims across Florida. Our Florida cruise accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge you need in this unique situation. We understand how dangerous these ships can be, even though they’re designed for your comfort and relaxation at sea. If you or a loved one have been hurt on an Azamara cruise, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your potential case.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Whether you need a lawyer after getting hurt on an Azamara cruise depends on how bad your injuries are. If they’re not too bad, you might not need to do anything legally, but you can still decide to if you want.
But if your injuries are serious, our team of lawyers who deal with cruise accidents can help. They’ll explain what you can do legally, figure out why the accident happened, see how much you should get for your injuries, talk to Azamara and their insurance company for you, and make everything easier for you. Even if you signed something saying Azamara isn’t responsible, if they did something wrong that caused your injuries, you still have rights. It’s really important to understand this to make sure you’re protected legally.
What You Need to Do After an Accident on a Cruise Ship
While getting on a Azamara cruise involves some inherent risks, the company (through the ship’s crew and management) likely has put comprehensive policies and procedures in place to deal with any potential accidents. These measures not only safeguard passengers but also serve to protect the company’s interests.
That said, In the unfortunate event of an accident, your actions are crucial in determining your potential claim. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you are injured during one of these voyages:
- Get medical attention right away – Your health and safety should be your top priority. If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. The ship will likely have medical staff on board who can assist you.
- Tell the crew what happened – Notify the ship’s staff about the accident and your injuries as soon as possible. They will document the incident and may provide you with an incident report form to fill out.
- Document everything – Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, your injuries, and any other relevant details. Keep records of any medical treatment you receive, including medications prescribed and bills.
- Report the accident to Azamara – Inform Azamara’s customer service department or their parent company (Sycamore Partners) about the incident. They will have a specific process in place for addressing any incidents.
First, focus on your health–it’s most important. With that taken care of, you can start thinking about your legal options.
Liability and Damages After a Cruise Accident
To hold Azamara accountable for your injuries, you’ll need to take legal action by filing an injury claim. This involves understanding liability, which is determined by negligence. In a cruise ship accident, negligence means:
- The cruise ship company or management had a duty to keep passengers safe.
- They breached that duty, leading to the accident and your injuries.
Several parties could share liability, including:
- Azamara’s corporate owners
- Ship crew
- Terminal authorities
- Businesses within the terminal
- Equipment or product manufacturers
- Security staff
- Other passengers
Regarding your damages, it’s essential to determine who will pay for your losses. Damages, the legal term for your losses, can be recovered in one of two ways:
- Through filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
While there are differences between these two processes, both allow you the opportunity to recover damages, which include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death expenses
A key aspect of these damages is filing your claim on time. In Florida, you have two years from the date of the injury to file. Miss this deadline, and you won’t be able to recover these damages.
How Do Azamara Cruise Accidents Happen?
Every cruise line has their own particular approach to these voyages, and Azamara is no different. While certain lines focus more on entertainment on the ship itself, every line offers multiple options for its passengers to have a good time. At the same time, it’s your voyage on an Azamara ship that can result in different types of accident and injuries:
- Slip and falls – Wet areas around pools and dining spots can cause people to slip and fall. When the ground around pools or where people eat is wet, it’s easy to slip and hurt yourself.
- Rough weather or seas – When the weather changes suddenly or the sea gets rough, it’s harder to stay steady and people might fall and hurt themselves. Unstable weather and rough seas can make people lose their balance and get hurt.
- Inadequate safety measures – If there aren’t enough safety signs, handrails, or life-saving gear, accidents can happen more easily.
- Improper warnings – If there aren’t signs telling you to be careful, or rails to hold onto, or life-saving equipment nearby, it’s easier for accidents to occur.
- Off-board activities – Doing activities on the ship or in ports without proper supervision can be dangerous.
- Lack of security – If there’s nobody watching to make sure you’re safe while you’re doing something on the ship or in a port, accidents are more likely to happen. If there aren’t enough ways to keep things safe, like locks or security guards, people might steal things or hurt others.
- Inadequate maintenance – If the ship’s crew doesn’t take good care of the equipment, accidents can happen. If the people who work on the ship don’t make sure everything is working properly, accidents might occur because things could break.
- Equipment malfunctions – Sometimes, the ship’s equipment or structure might not work right and cause accidents. Every once in a while, things on the ship might not work like they’re supposed to, which could lead to accidents.
- Fire hazards – Fires or problems with electricity can be risky if not dealt with carefully. If there’s a fire or something goes wrong with the electricity, it could be dangerous if people don’t handle it the right way.
- Illness from food – If food isn’t handled properly, it can make people sick. If the people preparing or serving food don’t do it safely, it could make passengers and crew members sick.
- Alcohol incidents – Drinking too much alcohol can lead to accidents and fights. If someone drinks too much alcohol, they might get into accidents or arguments more easily.
There’s any number of things that can happen to you when you go on any cruise, including one operated by Azamara. Remember, you have legal rights, but your overall priority should be your health and safety. Take care of those and the rest will take care of itself. Then, we’ll be there to help you.
Free Consultations For Azamara Cruise Accident Victims
You don’t book a cruise with Azamara expecting to face lifelong injuries or other damages. However, accidents have been known to happen on these voyages. When they do, our team at Cowen Edwards will be there to help you. We’ll explain the law and your options, then guide you through the process with clarity. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
