Cowen Edwards helps people in Fort Lauderdale when they’re injured on a cruise ship. Of the many different cruise lines, one of the most popular is Celebrity. A Celebrity cruise is meant to be relaxing, but accidents can happen. If you or someone you know was hurt on a Celebrity cruise, you might need legal help. Contact us for a free consultation to talk about your options.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Accidents on a cruise can happen, and dealing with injury claims isn’t always simple–especially if it happens outside of the country. For minor injuries, you might not need a lawyer. But if the cruise line’s negligence left you with serious injuries, having a lawyer on your side is important.
Here’s how our team can help:
- Investigate what caused the accident.
- Look into similar cases to support your claim.
- Speak to witnesses who saw what happened.
- Review the cruise line’s safety policies.
We make the legal process as simple as possible so you can focus on getting better. Plus, you don’t pay anything upfront–we work on a contingency-fee basis, so we take our fee from whatever result we get for you.
How Kinds of Injuries Can Happen to You on a Celebrity Cruise?
Given all the different things you can do on a typical Celebrity cruise, it’s not all that surprising that accidents and injuries can happen. While it’s always a bit risky, what changes the situation is when negligence is involved. Every accident is different, and the injuries you might face depend on your particular situation. Still, here’s a few ways you could get hurt:
- Falling overboard – Accidental falls overboard, poorly supervised pool areas, or slippery pool decks can result in drowning or near-drowning incidents.
- Broken bones – Uneven floors, wet or slippery surfaces, or sudden ship movements can cause passengers to trip, fall, and suffer fractures.
- Muscle or ligament tears – Quick shifts in the ship’s motion, slips on wet decks, or poorly maintained stairs can lead to sprains and strains.
- Respiratory issues – Poor ventilation in cabins, exposure to chemical fumes during maintenance, or mold in certain areas of the ship may cause breathing problems.
- Cuts and bruises – Sharp edges on furniture, broken glass, or accidental bumps in crowded areas can lead to minor injuries.
- Burns – Hot beverages served during turbulent weather, scalding food at buffets, or touching hot surfaces in poorly marked areas can result in burns.
- Head injuries – Falling objects from overhead compartments, slips on wet surfaces, or hitting your head during rough seas can cause serious trauma.
- Illnesses – Food poisoning from improperly stored food or illnesses from contaminated water can quickly spread on a cruise ship.
- Shore activity injuries – Shore excursions with inadequate safety measures, like zip-lining, snorkeling, or walking on uneven terrain, can lead to accidents and injuries.
You obviously never want to be injured when you step aboard a Celebrity cruise, but given the environment, accidents and injuries like the ones above can happen to you. For as troubling as it is, you can still file a claim and recover damages.
What Damages Can You Get in an Injury Claim After a Celebrity Cruise Accident?
Although it’s pretty unique, a Celebrity cruise is still a business. What’s more, a cruise ship has an even higher standard when it comes to their passengers’ safety because they are considered a “common carrier.” This means that they have to take even more precautions when it comes to negligence. Still, when you get hurt because of negligence, you can file either an insurance claim or a lawsuit and recover “damages.”
Your damages are based on your specific losses from the accident, but generally involves things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers the costs for your medical treatment, medications, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages – This covers the income you couldn’t earn because your injuries kept you from working. It can also include future earnings if your injuries leave you disabled.
- Property damage – If your personal belongings–like your phone, luggage, or clothing–were damaged in the accident, this compensation reimburses you for those losses.
- Emotional distress – Accidents can cause anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles. This type of compensation addresses the mental impact the incident has had on your life.
- Pain and suffering – These damages cover the physical pain and emotional challenges you’ve faced because of your injuries, beyond just the medical costs.
- Reduced quality of life – If your injuries prevent you from enjoying activities, hobbies, or spending meaningful time with loved ones, this accounts for those losses.
- Wrongful death expenses – If a loved one passes away due to the accident, this can help cover funeral and burial costs, as well as other related expenses.
Remember, every situation is different, so the damages you’re able to get aren’t necessarily going to match someone else that gets hurt. Also, you have to put together a strong case and meet certain deadlines, the most important of which is that you have to file your claim within two years of the date of the accident to even have a chance at getting damages.
Who Pays For Damages in a Cruise Ship Accident?
Celebrity works hard to provide a safe and enjoyable experience when you book a cruise. And while they have certain protocols in place, there’s always the possibility that you’ll be hurt because of someone else’s negligence, usually involving things like:
- Lack of clear warnings about hazards.
- Poorly trained staff who can’t respond to safety issues.
- Confusing or insufficient safety rules.
- Faulty ship design or maintenance issues.
- Ignoring known hazards or failing to address them.
- Neglecting proper background checks for employees.
This raises a very important question: who pays for your damages? At least legally, it comes down to whoever was responsible and caused the accident. On a Celebrity cruise, the company and ship’s management are going to be at least partially responsible, but it could also include others, such as:
- Other passengers
- Food makers or staff
- Crew members
- Third party security or contractors
- Makers or providers of faulty equipment
Because every situation is different, liability is also going to depend on what happened. Still, you can narrow things down by looking at what exactly happened. But it’s equally as important that you take certain steps to protect your claim when an injury does happen.
What Should You Do After You Get Injured During a Celebrity Cruise?
As you can probably tell, just because you don’t expect to get hurt when you go aboard a Celebrity cruise doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It’s tough to think about, but when something does happen and you (or someone you’re with) gets hurt, it then becomes necessary to take certain steps to protect your claim:
- Report what happened – The first thing you should do is report the accident and get medical care. Celebrity cruise ships have first aid stations on board to help, and access to other medical care, but make sure to take care of any injuries right away and save records. It also alerts the crew and management that something has happened that they need to take care of.
- Document what happened – If you can, take pictures of the accident scene, including your injuries and whatever hazards might have contributed. Save this and any other evidence you get.
- Talk to witnesses – Most likely, there will be plenty of witnesses that saw what happened. Get their contact information so we can talk to them later and get their account.
- Be careful with statements -When you talk to ship’s management or insurance reps, be careful with what you say. Don’t admit fault and just stick to the facts of what happened.
Your focus should always be on your health when you’re injured in an accident, even one that happens during a Celebrity cruise. Taking these steps will help you form a solid foundation for a potential claim.
Legal Help After an Injury on a Celebrity Cruise in Fort Lauderdale
Filing a claim for a cruise injury can be complicated, whether it happens on a Celebrity cruise or some other line in Fort Lauderdale. Working with our experienced cruise accident lawyers at Cowen Edwards will make sure you’re supported every step of the way. We’ll figure out who is responsible, gather evidence, and guide you through the process to help you recover the financial support you need to get better. Contact us today for a free consultation.
