After hours of planning a trip and paying the necessary expenses, the thought of suffering an injury while on vacation sounds unreal and something out of a horror story. Unfortunately, personal injury accidents occur anywhere, at any time, including on a cruise ship. There are many ways an individual can suffer injuries while on a cruise ship.
In 2022 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation totaled 103 criminal incidents on various popular cruise lines. When you suffer severe injuries due to a cruise line’s negligence, you can hold them accountable and recover compensation for your damages.
Can I File a Cruise Ship Injury Claim After I Sign a Liability Waiver?
Many individuals believe that since they signed a liability waiver, they cannot file an injury claim against a cruise line. While a liability waiver does prevent some claims, it does not eliminate and excuse severely negligent behavior on their part. Suppose a pool is designated as “swim at your own risk,” and someone dives in and hits their head. If there is a sign informing the individual not to dive into the pool, they may be unable to file an injury claim for that specific reason.
However, if an exposed tile causes someone to slip and fall, resulting in a debilitating head injury, they may file a claim due to the cruise’s responsibility to fix or warn individuals of any potential dangers. Every accident is unique and requires an experienced lawyer to understand the depths of your damages. Speak with your lawyer about your potential legal options as soon as possible.
How to Gather Evidence for Your Cruise Ship Injury Claim
One of the most important factors within a cruise ship injury claim is proving their negligence resulted in your accident and injuries. To hold them accountable, you must provide clear, concrete evidence of their hand in your accident. Consider a few types of evidence necessary to recover the best possible compensation for your claim:
- Scene or accident evidence: Any physical evidence of the accident and the environment may provide clear insight into your accident. For example, if you suffer injuries from a dangerous amount of chlorine in the pool, a water sample can prove your injuries.
- Medical documents: You must highlight that both the cruise’s negligence and the accident resulted in your injuries. Having a medical professional evaluate your injuries and confirm the severity and timeline of the injury is essential to your claim.
- Witness testimony: If someone saw the accident take place or can provide information that may assist the claim, their testimony may offer an unbiased account of the event.
- Photos and videos: In today’s society, surveillance, videos, and photographs provide some of the most substantial evidence for an injury claim.
If you cannot gather evidence, your lawyer can act on your behalf and utilize their connections and experience to collect the necessary information for your claim. Before making any decisions or speaking with representatives, contact your lawyer to learn about your best legal options.
Speak With the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP for an Experienced Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer
Many cruise ship companies may offer you money to sweep the incident under the rug. However, what they offer is often significantly lower than the compensation you deserve. Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP has over 100 years of combined experience fighting for New York residents. With our extensive knowledge and connections within the community, we will provide you with professional legal representation tailored to your unique circumstances.
If you want to learn more about our firm and process, please complete our contact form or call (516) 358-6900 today. You can also subscribe to our Youtube channel.
