Offshore Accidents Common Questions
What are some common cruise ship injuries?
What do I do if I was injured on a cruise ship?
Do I need a lawyer to represent me?
I was injured on a cruise ship. Do any special laws apply?
I work on a ship and was injured. Do any special laws apply?
How long do I have to file a suit?
What are some common cruise ship injuries?
The most common cruise ship injuries include:
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What do I do if I was injured on a cruise ship?
Just as with any other personal injury, it is important to document your claim. You should report your injury to the appropriate personnel on the ship and to the cruise ship operator or owner. You might also want to notify the travel agent who issued your ticket. Keep copies of any and all accident reports, claims letters, and correspondence.
It will be helpful to your case to be as prepared as possible to prove the facts in your claims. That means collecting eyewitness statements and contact information from fellow passengers. Statements from the ship’s crew and/or medical personnel may not help you, since they work for the cruise ship. It is also a good idea to take photographs and keep any promotional literature about the cruise.
Do I need a lawyer to represent me?
Cruise ship operators and their insurance companies will aggressively investigate your claim and aggressively defend claims brought against them. Your best interests would be well-served by retaining an attorney like Gregory Tonore with experience in offshore accidents and maritime law who will fight hard to protect your rights.
I was injured on a cruise ship. Do any special laws apply?
Yes. Special laws do apply just to cruise ships and special maritime or admiralty laws may also apply if the injury occurred while the ship was at sea or in coastal waters. An attorney experienced in maritime and offshore law such as Gregory Tonore can help to establish cruise ship injury liability. Also, many cruise ships are registered in countries other than the U.S. and legal representation against them takes special knowledge.
I work on a ship and was injured. Do any special laws apply?
Yes. If you have been injured at sea or on the water while working for your employer, you may have to file a claim under the Jones Act and general maritime law to receive compensation for your injuries. Unlike injuries sustained on land, an injury that occurred at sea or on the water is not covered by state workers compensation laws unless it happens within the territorial waters of a state. The laws are complex and an attorney well-versed in the intricacies of the Jones Act and maritime law is in the best position to help you with your injury claim.
How long do I have to file a suit?
The statute of limitations is one year for personal injury claims in the state of Louisiana.
