Cruise Ship Lawyer in Pembroke Pines

Cruising has become more and more popular over the last decade. As a larger percentage of the population discovers the joys of cruising, more passengers than ever are exploring the seas. Over 30 million passengers vacationed on cruise ships in 2019, and 2020 expects to see these numbers increase further. Florida continues to be one of the world’s largest ports of call for the vacation industry and Pembroke Pines continues the trend by creating thousands of jobs in the industry. 

Unfortunately, not every vacation trip goes as planned. With accidents and injuries, more and more vacations end in accidents and sickness. If you were injured or got sick while aboard a ship, contact a cruise ship lawyer in Pembroke Pines. With experience navigating the issues that come with cruising, the cruise ship lawyers at Schlacter Lawyer can help to ensure that you get compensated for any injuries or complications that stem from a trip gone bad.

Cruise ships are extremely large vessels. Some of today’s ships are twice the size of the Titanic, which sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean over 100 years ago. With their increased size come plenty of opportunities for accidents to happen. Combine the large size with wet conditions that can happen while at sea, and it’s not surprising to find that accidents are on the rise. 

Common cruise ship accidents include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Pool related accidents
• Food poisoning
• Drownings
• Broken stairways
• Broken elevators and escalators
• Overboard accidents
• Infectious diseases (coronavirus)
• Fires

While today’s boats include far more safety features than their predecessors, there are still some types of accidents that are difficult to avoid aboard a cruise ship. Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents to occur aboard a cruise ship. By their design, ships have numerous levels both indoors and outdoors, with countless staircases, numerous types of flooring materials, and crowded promenades. Combine these conditions with the rocking motion created by rough seas and it’s clear why slip and fall accidents are common on cruise vessels.

In today’s environment, more and more concern surrounds issues of illnesses and airborne diseases on cruise ships. Questions arise if and when a cruise ship is properly prepared to deal with a viral outbreak. In numerous instances, cruise ship companies fail to provide adequate medical assistance, and oftentimes quarantine an entire ship, reducing services, and increasing the likelihood that the disease will be transmitted among passengers. A quarantined ship can be stuck at sea for days or weeks, awaiting permission to enter a port. When a passenger has a pre-existing health issue or sustained an injury prior to the quarantine, it may be days before that passenger is able to seek proper medical care and their condition could worsen.

If you were injured or got sick while aboard a cruise ship, we can help. The lawyers at Schlacter Law have experience dealing with clients who fell ill while aboard a vessel. We understand the issues that arise from failing to receive adequate medical care and are here to help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve when a cruise ship company fails in its duty to assist its passengers and keep them safe.

Jurisdiction is the complex concept of knowing where to file a claim after an injury. When filing a claim, failing to make a claim in the correct jurisdiction could result in the dismissal of that claim. Jurisdiction would also determine which laws would apply. When it comes to cruise ship accidents, jurisdiction is not always clear.

Typically, when an accident occurs on land, jurisdiction is dictated by the location the accident happened. If, for example, a passenger fell and was injured in the port terminal located in Florida, a state court in Florida may have jurisdiction to hear the case and Florida law might apply. If an injury occurred in another port, a court at that location might have jurisdiction and the laws that apply at the port might take effect.

In some cases, jurisdiction is dictated on a passenger’s ticket by the company that owns the vessel. This is sometimes done so a cruise ship company can force a lawsuit in a jurisdiction that is beneficial to them. This might not necessarily be beneficial to a passenger who would be required to file in that jurisdiction even in cases where the accident occurred somewhere else. Additionally, depending on the type of injury and the amount of harm, the federal court system may be the appropriate venue to file a lawsuit. Consulting a cruise ship accident lawyer is essential in determining where a case should be filed.

Because vessels move between ports on the high seas, it’s not always a simple case that jurisdiction is dictated by where the vessel is located. While at sea, jurisdiction and the laws that govern might be dictated by maritime law. Maritime law is a set of laws created over the last few hundred years to settle disputes on the seas, originally designed for shipping disputes. Even though maritime law has evolved over the years, it is not always well suited for settling disputes that arise from injuries that happen while vacationing on a cruise ship. All the more reason to talk with a Pembroke Pines cruise injury lawyer today.

Florida has become the world’s premier port of call for vacationers traveling the seas. Millions of passengers board bigger and bigger ships for longer time periods, becoming one of the most popular ways to enjoy a vacation. Thankfully, most cruise trips pass uneventfully. But some passengers are not as fortunate. 

From slip and falls, contagious viruses, fires, overboard accidents, and food poisoning, cruising can come with its share of problems. Even in cases where the vessel provides medical care, that care may be limited based on the limitations placed on a ship due to limited space, and the isolation a vessel endures at sea. When an injury happens, seeking a cruise ship lawyer as soon as possible can be the difference between receiving adequate compensation and failing to be made whole.

Issues such as maritime law and proper jurisdiction are complex and require a lawyer with the expertise necessary to evaluate a claim, and the skill to help their clients get the best compensation available. If you were sickened or injured while on a cruise ship in Pembroke Pines, call a cruise ship injury lawyer today for an evaluation.

How We Handle Cases

1. Investigation
   • Your attorney will aggressively investigate your case. Schlacter Law will compile all necessary evidence needed to maximize the value of your case. Which includes but is not limited to photographs, police reports, security camera footage, witness statements, medical bills and medical records.
   • You will remain in constant contact with Schlacter Law about the progression of your case.
2. Negotiation
   • Your attorney will present your case to the insurance company and will attempt to resolve your case before the case goes to court for maximum compensation.
   • Your attorney will make every effort possible to resolve the case as quickly as possible for the most amount of money you may be entitled to. You will be actively involved in the negotiation process with your attorney. Schlacter Law understands that this is your one opportunity to get justice for your loss.
3. Litigation
   • If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, Schlacter Law will be fully prepared to bring your case to court to fight for the justice you deserve.
   • At no cost to you, Schlacter Law will hire any experts and professionals needed to maximize your recovery and present your case in the strongest form possible.