Were You Injured on a Cruise?

Cruises are a popular vacation option and a great way to get a change of scenery. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen on cruise ships, perhaps more often than many people think. In addition, pursuing a claim for injuries suffered while on a cruise ship can be more complicated than in many other situations. If you’ve suffered a serious injury while on a cruise, we recommend that you speak with an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer as soon as possible. 

Cruise Ship Injuries Can Be Serious

The most common accidents on cruise ships are the same as accidents that can happen anywhere else. Due to the nature of the environment (a moving ship, with narrow passageways and confined quarters), your injuries may be more severe due to the nature of the environment. Limited options for medical treatment can make an already bad situation even worse.  

Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries on Cruise Ships

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are among the most common injuries sustained on cruise ships. While the ships are fairly stable and generally stay in calmer waters, the movement of the ship can result in you losing your balance and falling. And given their massive size and the vast variety of amenities, cruise ships have numerous slip and fall hazards that passengers don’t normally encounter that can cause serious injury. Cruise lines have a responsibility to warn passengers of hazards and make sure that the ship is safe. 

Swimming Pool and Aquatic Facility Injuries 

Swimming pools and other aquatic facilities pose a risk of drowning, especially for children. People can be injured while using the diving board, water slides, or simply slip and fall on the pool deck. Saunas and hot tubs can potentially cause burns. Swimming pools and other aquatic facilities should be carefully maintained and staffed with appropriate personnel to ensure the safety of the passengers. 

 Illness and Food Poisoning 

Illness and food poisoning are serious concerns for anyone on a cruise ship. Illnesses such as the norovirus can not only ruin your vacation but seriously threaten your health. Food-borne illnesses can also be a considerable risk, especially for the elderly or those who already are in poor health. If the cruise line failed to take measures to protect passengers from food poisoning and other illnesses, they may be held liable for your injuries. 

What You Need to Do if You’ve Been Injured on  Cruise Ship

First and foremost, you should seek medical treatment if you haven’t already done so. After that, the most important thing to do is to keep careful documentation of your injuries, your medical bills, and any other losses (such as lost wages) that you may have suffered. You should also obtain copies of any accident reports that were prepared by or submitted to the cruise line. Lastly, we recommend that you discuss your case with an experienced cruise ship injury attorney if you have been seriously injured. 

Call Slappey & Sadd – the Atlanta Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys

Cruise ships have a responsibility to keep their passengers safe. When they fail to meet that responsibility, we believe that they should be held accountable for the injuries that result. If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship, the attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at 888-474-9616 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.