Tampa Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

Were you or a loved one injured aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Tampa, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering related to your cruise ship injury. At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer can help you fight to recover the full compensation you deserve. 

Since 1992, our legal team has fought to recover maximum compensation for injured clients in the Tampa Bay area. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions to date!

Are you ready to learn how we can put our experience and resources to work in your case? Contact our law offices in Tampa, FL online or call us at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Cruise Ship Accident in Tampa

How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Cruise Ship Accident in Tampa

You never expect to get seriously hurt on vacation, but accidents can happen quickly. If you were injured aboard a cruise ship, you may deserve significant compensation. 

You’ll have to take legal action quickly to preserve your right to compensation. But unfortunately, your financial and physical recovery may be anything but fast. A personal injury lawyer at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers. can handle all aspects of your legal claim while you recover. 

Our Tampa personal injury attorneys have over 28 years of experience helping clients like you recover fair compensation. We’ve already recovered $500 million for accident victims across Tampa—a feat that has earned us the AV Preeminent award from Martindale-Hubbell.

Retaining our law firm means you’ll have a lawyer to:

  • Determine which state, federal and maritime laws apply in your case
  • Gather evidence to support your claim
  • Work with experts and specialists to strengthen your personal injury case
  • Negotiate with the insurance company to recover the maximum available compensation
  • Take the at-fault party to trial if they don’t take your claim seriously

Cruise ship accident claims can be particularly complex. You shouldn’t have to handle your case alone. Call our law firm today to learn more about how we can help you fight for fair compensation.

How Common Are Cruise Ship Accidents in Tampa?

Boating accidents happen every day in the United States. Large cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norweigan are no exception. 

During a three-year study, 663 injuries were reported on cruise ships. Over 65% of those injuries occurred on the cruise ship itself. However, cruise ship accidents aren’t always catastrophic sinkings or groundings. Around 45% of all injuries aboard the ship were slips, trips, and falls.

You may also be entitled to compensation if you were the victim of violent criminal activity onboard a cruise ship. According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, over 100 people were sexually assaulted aboard cruise ships in a single year.

Thousands of boats operate off the coast of Florida. Operators run everything from fishing charters to scenic cruises to full-service overnight cruises on a daily basis. If you were injured, contact us today to learn more about your rights.

What is My Tampa Cruise Ship Accident Case Worth?

Every injury case is different. Your lawyer has to know the facts before estimating the value of your case. 

Here are some of the significant factors that can impact your settlement award:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Your expected recovery time
  • The cost of medical care
  • Your lost wages and income
  • The future impact of your injuries

There are any number of factors that can be important to putting a dollar value on your personal injury claim. Our lawyers will examine the big picture to establish what your case is worth. We’ll even bring in experts and specialists, if necessary, to help us understand your future and intangible costs.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Cruise Ship Accident Victims?

Florida personal injury laws give victims the right to economic damages and non-economic damages

If you’re hurt, we’ll fight to recover compensation for your:

It’s important to get the full compensation you deserve in your initial settlement. Once you’ve accepted an offer, you can’t request additional compensation at a later date. 

Our lawyers can help you fight to recover both your past and anticipated future costs. Just give us a quick call today to learn more.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Cruise Ship Accident in Florida?

Florida accident victims can recover damages even if they’re partly at fault for an accident. Under Florida shared fault laws, your damages award will be reduced in proportion to your share of blame. 

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Cruise Ship Accident Injuries

Cruise ships can be dangerous if proper safety measures aren’t taken. If you’re struggling with a painful injury, our Tampa cruise ship accident attorneys can help. 

We’ll help you fight to recover full compensation for all of your injuries, including:

Don’t let the insurance companies undervalue your injuries. Call our team for a free case assessment today.

What Causes Most Cruise Ship Accidents in Tampa, Florida?

A large portion of the accidents that occur on cruise ships are slip-and-fall accidents. Like any other property owner, cruise line companies are required to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests and employees. Part of that duty includes taking reasonable steps to prevent slips and falls.

Slip and fall accidents on cruise lines are commonly caused by:

  • Slick surfaces
  • Missing or damaged guardrails or handrails
  • Damaged staircases
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Missing floor mats or loose carpeting/rugs
  • Loose cables and wires
  • Debris and other obstacles in walkways
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Inadequate warning signs

Of course, cruise lines can’t prevent all fall accidents. They do, however, have a duty to inspect the boat to identify any dangers or risks. 

Not all injuries aboard cruises are caused by trips and falls. At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we handle all cruise ship accident claims, including:

  • Food poisoning
  • Assault and sexual assault
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Medical malpractice while visiting the cruise line infirmary
  • Fires and explosions
  • Recreational accidents
  • Viral transmission due to unsanitary conditions
  • Car accidents while on offshore excursions
  • Equipment malfunctions
  • Drownings
  • Falls overboard
  • Negligent security
  • Failure to properly train and supervise ship crew members

Were you hurt aboard a cruise in Tampa? It’s important to take legal action quickly. Call our law firm to schedule a free case review to learn more about your legal rights today.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Cruise Ship Accident in Florida? 

Cruise ship accidents can happen in many different ways. You may be dealing with state, federal or maritime laws in a variety of jurisdictions.

In the end, however, most cruise ship accidents are based on negligence. General maritime laws and state premises liability laws impose a legal duty on cruise operators. 

They’re obligated to keep passengers reasonably safe, including by:

  • Inspecting the vessel to identify and fix dangerous conditions
  • Provide seaworthy conditions while passengers and crew are onboard
  • Provide adequate warning of any hazardous conditions
  • Provide adequate security to prevent criminal activity, including while participating in onshore excursions
  • Adequately screen, train and supervise crew members

If the cruise company breaches their duty, they can be held liable for damages if you can prove that the breach caused your injuries. You’ll need evidence to back up your claim. 

Our lawyers at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers can help you locate the proof you need, including:

  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Video surveillance footage
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Records of historical safety violations
  • Maintenance and inspection logs
  • Medical records
  • Accident reports
  • Expert witness testimony

Are you interested in taking legal action to protect your rights? Please contact our law offices for the legal advice you deserve today.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Cruise Ship Accident in Florida?

Most of the time, Florida state law gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, that statute of limitations only applies if the accident happened in Florida state waters. Usually, the deadline in cruise ship accident cases is much shorter.

You could have as little as six months to one year to file a cruise ship accident lawsuit if the Jones Act applies.

You’ll also have to analyze the fine print of the cruise ship ticket to make sure your rights are protected. For example, the Carnival Cruise Lines contract requires accident victims to give a full account of the accident to the cruise company within 185 days of the incident.

These shortened time limits reduce the amount of time you have to gather evidence to support your claim. If you were injured, it’s important to call an experienced lawyer soon after the accident. We’ll go to work immediately to preserve your right to compensation.

Contact a Tampa Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you seriously hurt aboard a cruise ship? Call a Tampa cruise ship accident lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to discuss your right to compensation. Your first consultation is always free of charge, so contact our team today.