That is what many people do initially.
But cruise ship injury cases are very different and much more complex. In most situations, a local attorney who doesn’t specialize in maritime law will not be the best person to handle your case.
If you were injured on a Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean ship or on another cruise line, you’re going to need the help of an attorney who focuses on cruise ship injury and maritime law, both of which are specialized areas.
Our Miami cruise lawyers have considerable professional experience in all areas of maritime law and personal injury. We’re here to help you with the legal advice and representation you deserve if you’ve been injured on a cruise ship or other vessel. We’ve worked with injured passengers on most Carnival ships over a 40 years, including Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Glory, Radiance, Spirit, Horizon, Sunrise and many others.
Maritime Law Is Completely Different
Cruise ship injuries fall under a specialized area of law called maritime law or admiralty law. This body of law is separate from the personal injury laws that apply to accidents on land. It has its own rules, procedures, deadlines, and standards for proving fault and awarding damages. Most local personal injury lawyers simply do not have the training or experience needed to navigate this area of law effectively.
Your Case Likely Belongs in Federal Court
Unlike car accidents or injuries that happen at a local business, cruise ship injury claims often must be filed in federal court. Even more challenging, your cruise ticket probably includes a forum selection clause, which is legal language requiring any lawsuit to be filed in a specific city—usually where the cruise line is headquartered. For example, Carnival Cruise Line typically requires lawsuits to be filed in Miami, Florida, no matter where you live or where you boarded the ship.
This means your local lawyer can’t file the case in your hometown court, and may not even be licensed to practice in the required jurisdiction. Maritime injury attorneys are familiar with these requirements and are usually admitted to practice in the courts where cruise line cases must be filed.
Different Rules and Shorter Deadlines
Maritime law has strict procedural rules and often shorter deadlines to file a claim—sometimes as little as one year from the date of the injury. It also uses different legal standards to determine who is at fault and what compensation you can recover. For example, cruise lines may be held responsible only if you can prove they knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition on board.
A general personal injury lawyer may not be aware of these differences, which can lead to costly mistakes, missed deadlines, or even dismissal of your case.
Cruise Lines Have Their Own Legal Teams
Major cruise lines like Carnival employ large, well-funded legal teams that specialize in defending maritime injury claims. These defense firms understand the laws, the courts, and the tactics that can limit or deny your recovery. To level the playing field, you need a lawyer who knows how to go up against them—someone with specific experience handling cruise ship injury cases.
You Can Consult with a Local Attorney, But Hire One in Florida (for Carnival and Royal Caribbean)
If you’ve been hurt on a cruise, hiring a local attorney who doesn’t handle maritime law is likely not in your best interest. These cases are unlike typical personal injury claims and require a lawyer with the right knowledge, courtroom access, and experience.
A qualified cruise ship injury attorney can help you understand your rights, meet critical deadlines, and give you the best chance of securing fair compensation for your injuries.
Working with a cruise line to file an injury claim can be a complicated and frustrating process, especially when you try to do it alone. The best results generally come when an injured passenger hires a lawyer to help with their case. We help passengers by representing them, by using our knowledge of the laws and regulations surrounding cruise injury claims and by utilizing our specific experience dealing with cruise ship accidents.
Many passengers don’t even realize they can sue a cruise line until the talk with a lawyer. We are available for consultation regarding personal injury claims and will speak with you even if you are unsure about whether you have a valid claim or not.
Contact a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer
The best approach is to spend a few minutes with an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer who can answer your questions and provide a clear understanding of what your legal rights are as an injured passenger.
For more information from our attorneys, please call us today. There is no obligation with the call – and – the call with our attorneys is free. Call today at 1-305-271-8282.
Our cruise ship accident lawyers have been helping injured passengers and crew members for more than 35 years. We help you understand your rights and will assist you in filing an injury claim against the cruise line. If you believe negligence played a role in your injury – or just have questions about the your accident – please contact our office today.
Call 1-305-271-8282. Serving clients in Florida and across the country.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and should be evaluated by an experienced cruise ship accident or maritime injury attorney.