Fort Lauderdale Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer

Cruise ship vacations are a growing option for vacationers across the nation. For this reason, the cruise industry has become the fastest growing option in the vacation market. Many of the industry’s leading companies struggle to design, build, and construct larger and more elegant ships. Billions of dollars of revenue pour into the cruise industry every year and its profits continue to soar.

David I. Fuchs has over 20 years of experience as a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer in successfully representing cruise ship accident and injury victims, their families and friends who have sustained and suffered serious bodily injuries because of the negligence or the intentional misconduct of fellow passengers or crew.

When you bring your case to a Fort Lauderdale cruise ship injury lawyer, you can expect high quality representation and an aggressive pursuit of the compensation you deserve.

Cruise Ship Injuries Explained

Recently, many of the large cruise liners have come under fire. Shortcuts in sanitation and safety practices are spotted throughout the industry. Like any large vessel of transportation, shortcuts can cause terrible mishaps that may claim the lives of many innocent travelers. Security, fires, theft, robbery, and assault are all common occurrences that cruise ship operators and safety enforcers must combat regularly.

From the consumer’s perspective, it is important to understand the implications and extent of liability that the cruise companies face in the event that any of these incidents occur. Fort Lauderdale attorneys reveal that the fine print on the passenger ticket defines and limits the amount of liability that these cruise ship companies can face.

There are also strict filing rules in instances of personal injury or negligence. In other words, cruise ship companies invoke every legal limitation which creates difficulty for passengers looking to file lawsuits or claims against them. One example of this fact is the filing area.

Geographically, suits must be filed at the port of embarkation. Unfortunately, however, people are typically traveling from across the United States and do not live in or near the filing area. This one example, in itself, weeds out many valid suits in which victims choose to go without and avoid traveling long distances for trial.

Our dedicated attorney David I. Fuchs will represent you for shipboard accidents and injuries that include:

• Injuries caused by shipboard emergencies (fire, collisions, abandonment)
• Assault by crew members or fellow passengers
• Injuries sustained while participating in planned activities either aboard ship or during shore excursions
• Foodborne illnesses
• Slip-and-fall
• Sexual battery (rape) by crew members or fellow passengers

Who is Liable for a Cruise Ship Accident?

A common carrier is responsible for making sure its crew and passengers safely arrive at their destination. Appropriate and reasonable care must be taken to ensure that physical harm does not become anyone.

Passengers are entrusting themselves to the protection of the cruise ship and its staff. Furthermore, the ship’s duty of safe transportation includes protection against such incidents as rapes, molestation, and assaults.

Filing a Claim

Shipowners owe a duty of reasonable care to people who are lawful aboard the vessel. Therefore, personal injury cases may be filed in the event that this responsibility is breached in any way and results in an accident. An experienced Fort Lauderdale attorney can help determine if you have an appropriate personal injury claim after a cruise accident.

Venue Selection Clauses

Passenger tickets typically have a forum selection clause in small print on the back of the ticket. Forum selection has very specific implications. These clauses stipulate the state and courts which will be responsible for any litigation. Challenges of venue selection typically fail, and victims are forced to travel to see their case in its entirety.