Many people who travel frequently understand that there is a risk you may be a target for crime as a tourist. This might mean that you could have something stolen from your person or from your room, or you could be the target of physical or sexual violence. On a cruise, the ship’s security staff should work to keep passengers safe, both at sea and at port.
If you or a loved one was the victim of theft, assault, sexual assault, or another crime aboard a cruise ship, contact Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. today. Our attorneys for victims of a crime on a cruise ship may be able to take your case and fight to get you compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered. For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (866) 386-1762.
Suing for Crimes on a Cruise Ship
Of course, you can typically report a crime to the local authorities or the authorities on board the ship. This might mean that the case is investigated and the culprit is apprehended, which is usually a good thing to do. Once the defendant is arrested and charged with a crime, you might see them face punishment, but that does not always help you with the harm you suffered. Many crimes, especially assault or sexual assault, take a personal toll on the victim. Because of this, it is often important to sue the perpetrator and the shipowner in civil court to seek full compensation for the harms you suffered as a crime victim.
Victims of crime aboard a cruise ship are often entitled to sue not only the person who committed the crime against them but also the cruise ship and its operators for crimes they fell victim to aboard the ship. It is the duty of the ship’s crew and staff to provide security aboard the vessel. This means monitoring passengers and staff to prevent people from entering areas they should not be (like another guest’s cabin), drugging other passengers or plying them with drinks, and starting fights. If they fail to do so, they could be accused of negligent security, which allows the ship operators to be held liable for some of the harm the victim suffered.
These lawsuits can also be filed against the individual or individuals who committed the crime. In some cases, the negligent security argument does not hold, but you might still be able to sue the individual for damages. Whether this individual was a member of the ship’s crew, another passenger, or a local at port, you can often seek financial compensation by taking these parties to court.
Damages for Crime Victims on Cruise Ships
The damages you can seek in your case can be used to pay you back for the harm you suffered because of the crime. Some things obviously cannot be reversed with money, but expenses like medical bills, restitution for stolen money or goods, lost wages from severe injuries, and pain and suffering can be compensated by filing a lawsuit.
Many assault and sexual assault injury cases require prompt medical treatment. This could lead to expensive medical bills as you might need medivac to the nearest hospital on shore, and the care you receive could be expensive if you are treated in the U.S. or abroad. When you return home, you may need additional medical care such as follow-up visits, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. You may also need counseling or mental health care if you were subjected to serious trauma from a violent encounter.
If you were the victim of theft, destruction of property, or other crimes involving financial loss, you could be entitled to have these values repaid. Many people see tourists and travelers as easy prey, stealing cash, credit cards, identification, and expensive electronics from them. The individuals responsible for stealing these items – or the people who failed to stop these crimes – may be made to pay you back for the losses.
If you suffered injuries during the crime that kept you from returning to work, you could be entitled to lost wages. These damages vary from case to case depending on the severity and permanence of the injuries. If you miss work while recovering, you can seek these lost wages, or if your injuries keep you from going back to work, you could be entitled to damages for your lost earning capacity.
Some of the major damages in any case involving physical injury are damages for pain and suffering. Victims of physical injuries or assaults, including sexual assault or rape, might be entitled to damages to pay for the mental anguish, emotional distress, and physical pain and discomfort the injuries caused them. These victims could be entitled to substantial compensation for these intangible harms.
Talk to a lawyer about what your case might be worth and how to go about proving the damages you suffered. Our lawyers have decades of experience helping victims of crime injuries seek justice in cases aboard cruise ships and at port.
Call Our Cruise Ship Crime Victim Attorneys for a Free Consultation
For a free legal consultation, call our attorneys for victims of crime on cruise ships and at port today. The maritime injury lawyers at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind may be able to take your case and fight against the cruise ship company and the culprit to get you compensation for the losses you suffered as the victim of a crime. For a free legal consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (866) 386-1762.
