Can You Sue Princess Cruises for Injury? Call Our Lawyers
Cruise ship companies have a responsibility to consider passengers’ safety. If a cruise line breaches the duty of care it owes to a passenger and the passenger suffers injuries, can they sue for damages?
You may be able to sue Princess Cruises for injury if you were injured due to negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, like assault. You may have only 1 year to file a lawsuit and only 6 months to give notice of your upcoming claim. You can sue Princess Cruises for any damages you incurred, including medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages. You may even get punitive damages, depending on the situation.
Get your free and confidential case evaluation from our cruise ship injury lawyers when you call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369.
Why Can You Sue Princess Cruises for Injury
It can be difficult to know whether a cruise ship is responsible for an accident or injury without consulting an experienced maritime injury lawyer. Tell us more about how you were injured, and we can see whether you have a case.
Cruise ships owe passengers a duty of care. Breaches of this duty can cause accidents and injuries, which makes the cruise ship company liable for the victim’s damages.
You can sue Princess Cruises for acts of negligence by staff members as well. This includes failure to address hazardous deck conditions, continuing to serve passengers who are visibly intoxicated, physical and sexual assaults from crew members working, and other negligent or intentional acts.
How Much Time Do You Have to Sue Princess Cruises for Injury?
Plaintiffs don’t have unlimited time to sue Princess Cruises for injuries and must file within a relatively short window after an accident.
Maritime Law Statute of Limitations
Maritime injury lawsuits follow a 1-year statute of limitations. Most states give victims longer to sue, but the shorter statute of limitations applies to cruise ship accidents on navigable waters. Don’t let this shorter statute of limitations compromise your case, and let our cruise ship injury lawyers identify the filing deadline as soon as possible.
The statute of limitations sometimes tolls, pushing back the deadline, and our lawyers can determine whether that affects your case.
Notice of Claim Requirement
There is an additional time requirement that cruise ship passengers suing for injury need to be aware of. Cruise ships include notice of claim requirements in passengers’ tickets. Purchasing a ticket means you agree to the terms of the contract, which likely mandates notice of a lawsuit within 6 months of a cruise ship injury.
Even if the statute of limitations for your lawsuit hasn’t expired, failing to send a notice of claim within 6 months can bar you from compensation because it is technically a violation of the passenger contract.
What Damages Can You Get if You Sue Princess Cruises?
Rely on us to identify all the damages you can recover by suing Princess Cruises for a cruise ship injury. Without our lawyers, victims could miscalculate their damages and recover less than what they truly deserve.
Medical Expenses
You can sue Princess Cruises for all the medical expenses associated with a cruise ship injury. While initial treatment may be provided by onboard medical staff, you may need additional tests, treatments, and monitoring after you return home. Trust us to keep a running tally of all medical damages and to factor in anticipated future damages based on your treatment plan and your doctor’s statements.
Lost Wages
You can also sue Princess Cruises for lost wages from an injury. Falls onto lower decks, falls overboard, sexual and physical assaults, and other common cruise ship injuries have financial, physical, and emotional consequences that may prevent injured passengers from returning to work. Don’t resume working prematurely or against the advice of your physicians, as doing so could compromise your compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Any injury can cause pain and suffering, and the added layer of distress when one is injured on vacation, especially at sea or docked at a foreign port, can be significant. Describe the pain and suffering you’ve dealt with since sustaining a cruise ship injury, and be prepared for possible depositions or testimony.
Other Damages
Any losses due to a cruise ship injury are recoverable in a lawsuit. For example, if you need to purchase a new plane ticket home after an accident, your lawsuit should cover that expense. Report any new expenses to our lawyers, and we can see if they are recoverable.
FAQs About Suing Princess Cruises for Injury
What Are Common Cruise Ship Injuries?
Common cruise ship injuries include sprains, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, injuries from physical and sexual assaults, and drowning injuries. Foodborne illnesses also cause relatively common health problems on cruises.
Can You Sue Princess Cruises for Punitive Damages?
If the cruise line is found liable for gross negligence or reckless disregard for passengers’ safety, the victim could be awarded punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. Punitive damages can significantly enhance the value of your case, and our attorneys can see if they are a possibility for you.
How Soon After an Injury Should You Sue Princess Cruises?
You shouldn’t wait to initiate your case with our lawyers, as you only have 1 year to file an injury lawsuit against Princess Cruises and just 6 months to send the company notice of your upcoming claim.
Where Do You File a Lawsuit Against Princess Cruises?
Passenger tickets also include a forum-selection clause that allows Princess Cruises and other cruise lines to select the venue for maritime injury lawsuits. Most likely, you must file your lawsuit in federal court in Florida.
Call Us for Help with Your Cruise Injury Lawsuit
For a free case analysis from our cruise ship injury lawyers, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369.
