Cruise Ship Accidents

Florida Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys

Protecting the Rights of Injured Passengers

If you or someone you love was injured in a cruise ship accident, you must take immediate action to learn more about your legal rights and options. At The Dellutri Law Group, PA, our Florida cruise ship accident attorneys are committed to providing aggressive and effective legal representation that gets results. We know how to hold the largest cruise lines and their insurance companies accountable.

To get a no-cost, no-obligation review of your case, please call (800) 391-4337 today.

What is a Cruise Ship Accident?

A cruise ship accident refers to any unexpected event or incident aboard a cruise ship, resulting in harm to passengers, crew, or the vessel itself. These accidents can range from minor incidents to major disasters, and they may involve various factors such as human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Here are some common types of cruise ship accidents:

  • Collisions: This includes accidents where a cruise ship collides with another vessel, a stationary object (such as a pier or buoy), or even with the seabed. Collisions can result from navigation errors, mechanical failures, or adverse weather conditions.
  • Groundings: Grounding accidents occur when a cruise ship runs aground, meaning it gets stuck on underwater obstacles such as reefs, sandbars, or rocks. Groundings can cause damage to the ship's hull and propulsion systems and may require assistance for refloating.
  • Fires: Fires onboard cruise ships can be sparked by various factors, including electrical faults, engine malfunctions, or negligence. Fires pose a significant risk due to the confined space and the large number of people onboard, potentially leading to injuries, evacuations, or even fatalities.
  • Sinking: While relatively rare, the possibility of a cruise ship sinking due to catastrophic events such as hull breaches, severe storms, or flooding cannot be discounted. Sinking accidents can result in significant loss of life and property damage.
  • Mechanical Failures: Cruise ships rely on complex machinery and systems to operate smoothly. Mechanical failures, such as propulsion system breakdowns or power outages, can lead to disruptions in itinerary, inconvenience to passengers, and potential safety risks.
  • Passenger or Crew Injuries: Accidents involving slips, trips, falls, or other injuries are unfortunately common onboard cruise ships. These incidents can occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate safety measures, or reckless behavior.
  • Norovirus Outbreaks: Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness that can spread rapidly in the confined environment of a cruise ship. Outbreaks of norovirus can lead to widespread illness among passengers and crew, resulting in discomfort and disruption to the cruise experience.
  • Man Overboard Incidents: These accidents involve individuals falling off the cruise ship into the water, either accidentally or intentionally. Man overboard incidents may result from factors such as alcohol consumption, reckless behavior, or inadequate safety measures.

Who is Liable for a Cruise Ship Accident?

Liability may extend to different entities or individuals, including:

  • Cruise Line Operators: The cruise line itself can be held liable for accidents due to negligence in vessel maintenance, inadequate safety procedures, or failure to train crew members properly. Cruise lines have a duty of care toward their passengers and crew and can be held responsible for breaches of that duty.
  • Shipowners: The company or individuals who own the cruise ship may bear liability if the accident resulted from issues related to the vessel's design, construction, or maintenance. Shipowners must legally ensure that their vessels are seaworthy and safe for passengers and crew.
  • Crew Members: Individual crew members who act negligently or recklessly may be held personally liable for accidents that result from their actions. This could include errors in navigation, failure to adhere to safety protocols, or misconduct that contributes to an accident.
  • Contractors and Service Providers: Cruise lines often contract with third-party companies to provide various services onboard, such as maintenance, entertainment, or shore excursions. If an accident occurs due to the negligence of these contractors or service providers, they may share liability for the incident.
  • Manufacturers and Suppliers: If the accident can be traced back to a defect in equipment or supplies used onboard the cruise ship, the manufacturers or suppliers of those products may be held liable under product liability laws.
  • Port Authorities and Governments: In some cases, liability for a cruise ship accident may extend to port authorities or governmental bodies responsible for regulating maritime activities, ensuring port safety, or providing emergency response services.
  • Passengers: Passengers who engage in reckless behavior that contributes to an accident may be held partially liable for their own injuries or damages. However, cruise lines still have a duty to provide a safe environment and take reasonable steps to prevent accidents.

What Can I Do If I Was Injured on a Cruise Ship?

Reporting Your Injury

Do not wait to report your injury. As soon as you fall, look around you and get the names and numbers of those people that saw you fall. If any crew members witnessed the fall, ask for their names and numbers as well. It’s also not a bad idea to take some pictures of the accident site. The more evidence that you can collect, the stronger your case will be.

If you look at the back of your ticket, you will likely see information about filing a claim. Make sure to file your claim within that time limit. If you live in Florida, you will (usually) have just one year to make a claim, so don’t wait.

Getting Help

Make sure that you receive adequate medical attention for your injuries right away. Cruise ships have a medical team on board, and getting your injury looked at can also help your case (while making sure that you are okay to continue your trip). If you have fallen or had any other kind of accident, do not wait to seek medical attention.

File a Claim

If anything has gone wrong while you were onboard a cruise ship, you may have a limited amount of time to file a claim, but it’s not all black and white. Going up against a large cruise ship company can be tricky, and you will need to have a qualified attorney on your side. Going on a cruise is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, but if something goes wrong while you are at sea, you are not helpless.

At The Dellutri Law Group, PA, our Florida cruise ship accident lawyers are aggressive, results-focused advocates for injured victims. If you or your loved one was injured on a cruise ship, we are here to help.

To request a case evaluation, please contact us today. With offices in Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte, we represent cruise ship accident victims throughout Southwest Florida.

What Our Clients Say

Real Stories From Real People
  • “The Dellutri Law Group is a first class law firm who treats every client like they are the most important client.”

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The Dellutri Difference

  • Experience & Passion on Your Side

    Our dedicated team of lawyers, paralegals, assistants, & staff have been fighting on behalf of our clients since 1998.

  • A Culture of Philanthropy

    In order to give back to our community, each employee at our firm is granted the opportunity to sponsor a charitable cause of their choosing.

  • Communication You Can Count On

    We believe that our clients deserve clear and consistent communication every step of the way, without any unnecessary "legalese."

  • Service Tailored to Your Needs

    We sincerely care about each and every one of our clients and refuse to treat them like a case file to be passed from person to person.

  • A Healthy Firm Culture

    When our employees are happy to come to work, we know that they are capable of overcoming any challenge on behalf of our clients.

  • Free Consultations

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Meet Your Attorneys

Committed to Making Our Community a Better Place
  • Carmen  Dellutri Photo
    Carmen Dellutri

    Attorney

    If you know Carmen Dellutri, you know he is passionate about a lot of things. He gives back often- to his community, his employees, and his loved ones. Carmen has mentioned time and time again that the reason he became an Attorney, and specifically a Personal Injury and Bankruptcy Attorney, is because he loves to help others.
  • Amanda  Downing Photo
    Amanda Downing

    Attorney

    Amanda Downing doesn’t mince words and says what she means when it comes to the opposing side. She has the biggest heart and will fight tooth and nail to bring justice for her clients. “I hate having to go to bat for those victims, because they never should have been put in that situation to begin with. It’s just completely unfair.”
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