Cowen Edwards’ team of Florida cruise accident lawyers represents injury victims on any cruise line or ship. One of the area’s most popular lines is Balearia Caribbean, offering passengers the ability to enjoy the open sea, beautiful weather, and excitement while on board. But there’s also ample opportunity for injuries. If you find yourself hurt on one of these ships, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Hopefully, if you are hurt on a Balearia Caribbean ship, it’s not serious. In that case, you probably don’t need to worry about taking legal action. However, many injury scenarios on a typical ship are often quite severe. So, while you don’t technically need a lawyer to represent you, having our experienced team on your side can really help. Here’s how:
- Providing you with legal options
- Explaining your rights and how the law works
- Investigating the accident
- Helping you gather important evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Make the process easier for you
Obviously, every situation is different. With that said, there’s legal protection in place for a reason. No matter what your circumstances are, our team can give you a better idea of what the recovery process looks like.
Steps to Take After a Cruise Accident
Regardless of the cruise line or type of ship you’re on, there’s always the chance that an accident can happen. This is true in a number of different scenarios, but what’s important is that you take the right steps to both protect yourself from further injury and bolster your potential claim. So, after an accident, make sure to:
- Get medical attention – If you’re severely injured, go straight to the ship’s medical center.
- Report to staff – Inform the cruise staff about your injury so they can document the incident and make sure no one else gets hurt.
- Document the scene – If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and any relevant details.
- Maintain records – Keep a record of all medical treatments you undergo.
- Notify insurance – Inform your insurance provider about the injury, and if you have travel insurance, notify them as well.
- Gather evidence – Collect any evidence supporting your case, such as witness statements or photographs.
- Follow your treatment plan – Attend all follow-up appointments if you require further medical care, and follow your doctor’s orders.
Common Accidents and Injuries
Any understanding of what to do after you get hurt on a Balearia Caribbean cruise is going to involve knowing what types of accidents you could find yourself in. Like many lines, these ships have a number of risks and hazards to go along with their amenities. With that in mind, here’s a few of the common accidents that can happen:
- Slips and falls – Wet areas near pools and dining spots can cause people to slip and fall. When these areas are wet, it’s easy to lose balance and injure yourself.
- Rough weather or seas – Sudden weather changes or rough seas can make it difficult to stay steady, leading to falls and injuries. Unstable conditions like these can throw people off balance and cause harm.
- Negligent security – Accidents are more likely to happen if there aren’t enough warning signs, handrails, or life-saving equipment available. Also, without proper monitoring or security measures like locks or guards, accidents and thefts may occur.
- Improper warnings – Without clear signs, handrails, or life-saving gear nearby, accidents become more likely.
- Off-board activities – Participating in ship or port activities without proper supervision can be risky.
- Poor maintenance – Neglecting proper maintenance of the ship’s equipment can lead to accidents if things break down.
- Equipment malfunctions – Occasionally, ship equipment may malfunction, leading to accidents.
- Fire hazards – Fires or electrical issues can be dangerous if not handled carefully.
- Food poisoning or illness – Improper food handling can result in foodborne illnesses for passengers and crew.
- Incidents involving alcohol – Excessive drinking of alcohol can increase the likelihood of accidents and altercations.
No matter what the cause of the accident is or what your injuries are, Florida law gives you certain rights and protections. Chief among these is the ability to recover “damages.” But the starting point of the claims process is figuring out who is responsible for the accident.
Is Balearia Caribbean Responsible For Your Injuries?
Obviously, someone or something is responsible for the accident that hurts you on a Balearia Caribbean ship. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is responsible. In fact, determining legal responsibility for your accident and its resulting injuries can be tough in these situations. However, the main way this is figured out is by establishing negligence.
In this context, negligence involves showing:
- Duty of care – Balearia Caribbean is legally obligated to ensure passenger safety by taking reasonable precautions to prevent harm and accidents.
- Breach of duty – If the cruise line or its staff neglect safety regulations, fail to maintain the ship adequately, or act negligently, they may be in breach of their duty of care.
- Causation – There must be a direct connection between the cruise line’s breach of duty and the accident, indicating that negligence directly caused or contributed to the incident.
- Damages – Actual harm or damages, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, or lost wages, must be suffered as a result of the accident.
Establishing these elements can lead to holding both the company as a whole and others responsible. Usually, this involves parties like:
- Crew members and captains
- Maintenance workers
- Other passengers
- Security personnel
- Those on shore
The reason figuring out liability is so important is because it sets the legal guidelines of who pays for your damages. And in a cruise accident, these damages can be substantial.
What Are Your Damages?
Being hurt in any accident brings its share of injuries and other losses that you have to deal with, and a cruise is no exception. What makes it worse is the fact that a cruise–whether on a Florida Balearia ship or any other–is usually pretty expensive. So, not only are you out of money in the short-term, with injuries it could mean long-term implications. Florida law tries to take this into account when factoring in your damages, but it’s up to you to show the extent of your damages. So, when you file an injury claim, you can potentially recover:
- Payment for all accident-related medical costs, such as hospital bills, medications, surgeries, and needed equipment.
- Support for the physical pain and suffering you’ve gone through.
- Reimbursement for income lost and potential future earnings you may lose.
- Financial considerations for mental and emotional distress, including conditions like PTSD.
- Financial support for the loss of joy in life or companionship.
- Costs relating to physical therapy and mental health treatment.
- Repair/replacement costs for any damaged property.
No two accidents are alike, so your damages are going to be based on the circumstances and losses that come with your particular accident. Also, remember, you have a two-year statute of limitations to file your claim. Miss this deadline, and you won’t even be able to file a claim.
Contact Cowen Edward After a Balearia Caribbean Cruise Accident
You don’t book a cruise expecting to get hurt, but sometimes this is exactly what happens. A Balearia Caribbean cruise is no doubt exciting, but when you get hurt, it changes things. Cowen Edwards and our Florida cruise accident lawyers will be there to guide you through the legal process so you can get the support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation.
