People go on cruises to have fun and enjoy themselves. An unfortunate number of people each year see their trips turn sour after passengers, crew, or staff violate their rights and personal safety by committing sexual assaults or rape on board. If you or a loved one was the victim of a sexual assault or rape on a cruise ship, the Miami maritime attorneys at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. may be able to help you seek justice.
Our Miami attorneys for victims of rape and sexual assault on a cruise ship may be able to take your case to court and fight to get you compensation and justice for the harm you suffered. Because Miami is the biggest homeport for cruise ships in the world, our attorneys are uniquely situated to fight your case. For a free consultation on your case, call our maritime attorneys today at (866) 386-1762.
Suing a Cruise Ship in Florida for Sexual Assault on Board
Victims of violence or sexual assault on a cruise ship are typically governed by maritime law during their trip. This means that instead of having your case governed by the laws of Florida or your home state, your case will typically be handled under federal laws that govern American ships anywhere in American waters and on the high seas. These laws give victims the right to take their abusers to court, but they typically work a bit differently than other laws.
Generally speaking, you always have the right to sue someone who intentionally harmed you, but the process and manner in which you sue might change. For injuries on a cruise ship, you can usually sue the party who directly harmed you. This means that if you were assaulted by another passenger, you can sue that passenger. Similarly, if you were assaulted by a cruise worker, crew member, or staff member, you can sue them – and potentially their employer – for the abuse you suffered.
The cruise line, the ship captain, the staff, and other parties are often responsible for the events that happen aboard a ship. You can typically sue the cruise ship company for violence or negligence committed by its employees. This means that you can take the ship and the cruise liner to court if you were assaulted by an employee. However, you may also be able to take them to court if you were assaulted by another passenger. The cruise ship, its captain, and its crew may be responsible for keeping you safe by providing security and safety on board the ship. These failures could mean the ship shares responsibility for what happened to you and can be taken to court for their contributions to your injuries.
Where to Sue for Cruise Ship Injuries and Assault
Cruise ships are generally sued in federal court in the state where their home port is located. Most cruise ships in the United States operate out of Florida, which means that our Miami maritime attorneys are perfectly situated to handle your case. Many cruise lines also use contractual language in their tickets to govern where any lawsuits must take place, placing the cases in Florida.
Suing in Florida may mean that you need to travel to handle your case. Our attorneys can help communicate with you and work with you if you need to travel or handle your case remotely throughout much of the process.
Damages for Rape and Sexual Assault on a Cruise Ship
Rape and sexual assault are some of the worst things that one person can do to another person. As such, survivors of sexual assault are often entitled to substantial damages for the harm inflicted upon them. In many cases, you can seek damages for medical expenses, counseling, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to the assault.
Many cases of rape and sexual assault need immediate medical care. On a cruise ship, you may not have immediate access to the care you need, and it may take the cruise ship additional time to get you to a hospital where you can be treated, potentially requiring additional medical care to handle the effects of delayed care. After the assault, you may also seek therapy or mental healthcare to help with what you experienced. These damages can often be covered in a lawsuit against the assailant and the ship.
If your injuries and recovery caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to lost wages. These damages can be paid in full and can also cover future lost wages if you suffered serious permanent injuries during the assault.
The mental and emotional suffering caused by rape and sexual assault is often severe. These kinds of events can be extremely traumatic, and you may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and discomfort, the emotional distress, and the mental anguish of the assault.
In most cases, these damages can be claimed against the assailant directly. In cases where the assailant was an employee on the ship, the ship might be responsible for covering the damages. The cruise ship can also be responsible for their own errors, such as negligent security, negligent hiring, medical malpractice, or delayed treatment related to your injuries.
Call Our Miami Attorneys if You Were Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship
If you or a loved one was sexually abused or raped while on a cruise ship, call the Miami maritime lawyers at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. Our Miami cruise ship injury attorneys for rape and sexual assault on a cruise ship may be able to take your case and fight to get you and your family justice for what happened to you. Negligent cruise ship owners and your assailant can be made to make substantial payments to you for the harms you suffered. Our experienced maritime attorneys are available for a free legal consultation today so you can learn more about filing your claim in Florida and fighting to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (866) 386-1762 to set up a free legal consultation.
