Why You Need a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer to Handle Your Case

Even the best plan can go sideways. Picture this, you’re on a cruise ship having the time of your life when suddenly, you’re injured in an accident. You could be stuck dealing with the aftermath, whether it’s a slip and fall, an excursion accident, or something else. Fortunately, that’s where a cruise ship lawyer comes in.

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a legal firm with over 20 years of experience representing clients from across the globe. We understand the pain, confusion, and frustration of being injured on a cruise and the need to hold a cruise line accountable. But even if you’re not to blame for the accident, the sheer size of most cruise lines can be intimidating, not to mention that they usually have their team of lawyers.

If you’re contemplating taking legal action against a cruise line, it helps to have a reputable lawyer on your side. To this end, let’s walk through the reasons you need a cruise ship attorney to handle your case:

Legal Knowledge

Let’s face it; most people have little to no legal knowledge. But that’s why we have lawyers in the first place. That said, cruise ships play by a different set of rules than land-based businesses, which can complicate matters for anyone without legal training.

A cruise ship lawyer will understand maritime law and how it applies to your situation. Moreover, they can help you navigate the often-complex legal process required to take on a cruise line.

Besides, you have to contend with diverse legal issues. For instance, your ticket contract is the basis for filing a lawsuit – determining where you can file your case. Also, most tickets have a “forum selection clause” defining the legal action you can take.

You might also have to go up against the jurisdiction of the country where the ship is registered. For such reasons and more, it’s imperative to rope in a cruise ship lawyer who understands these issues and how to approach your case.

Protects Your Rights During Recovery

As we have seen, the law surrounding cruise ship accidents is complex. But it’s not just the legalities you must contend with after an accident. More often than not, you’re also dealing with a long and difficult recovery process. And if you don’t team up with an attorney, the cruise line may take advantage of you.

For instance, the company may attempt to lure you into signing a settlement agreement early in the process. And because you’re still reeling from the accident, you may not realize the offer is too low. A cruise ship attorney will know how much your case is worth and help you fight for what you deserve. And as you recover, the attorney can help you deal with lots of issues, including:

Getting information relating to your injuries and treatment-related costs.
Finding out what your policy covers.
Communicating with your employer.
Preparing a strategy to employ during a trial.
Filing your case before the statute of limitations runs out.

What are the odds of getting all these done as you nurse an injury? Not very high. And that’s precisely why you need an experienced attorney.

They can look into loopholes the cruise ship may want to take advantage of and keep the process moving forward. Case in point, your ticket contract may reduce the statute of limitations to a year instead of three. You need to read the fine print to realize this and retain your chance to take legal action.

An attorney can help ensure this doesn’t happen. Simply put, they take the weight off your shoulder, letting you focus on recovery as they fight for you.

Experience in Dealing with Cruise Lines

Imagine facing an adversary well-prepared for a fight when the best you’ve done is Google “how to sue a cruise ship.” It doesn’t sound fair, does it?

This explains why you need an experienced cruise ship attorney. Such a professional will have dealt with cruise lines and understands what it takes to win a case. Besides, they typically have the financial muscle to take on a large company. Often, attorneys take on cases on a contingency basis. As such, they only get paid if they get a favorable outcome.

Additionally, the contract you signed as you boarded the cruise ship may include an arbitration clause. In effect, you agree to specific conditions that may later work against you.

As such, you must take legal action through arbitration, which can be time-consuming and expensive. And if the cruise liner calls the shots (based on your agreement), they get to choose the arbitrator or may dictate the location or country where the arbitration will take place.

Needless to say, you’re at a disadvantage if you go it alone. In other words, the playing field is hardly level, and you need a competent professional on your side.

Access to Key Witnesses and Evidence

To build a strong case against a cruise line, you need access to the right evidence and witnesses. And this can be tricky when you’re up against a large company with seemingly endless resources.

But an experienced cruise line attorney knows how to get their hands on the evidence needed to win a case. They also have the necessary relationships with experts who can help strengthen your claim.

Besides, they can investigate the accident and find out what happened. Mostly, a passenger’s testimony isn’t enough to win a lawsuit against a cruise line.

For instance, if you slipped and fell on a cruise ship, you’ll need to prove the company was aware of the hazard and failed to address it. Your lawyer can help you access the ship’s maintenance records, showing whether or not the company was aware of the problem. And that’s not all.

Similarly, coordinating an investigation isn’t a walk in the park. Typically, it requires interviewing multiple witnesses, some of whom may be reluctant to talk. Your attorney can help you get in touch with key witnesses and get them to cooperate.

A cruise ship accident lawyer offers you the best chance of a favorable outcome. Whether you’re considering negotiation or litigation, they have you covered in all respects. If that’s your current situation and you’re hunting for a competent and experienced yet compassionate attorney, schedule an appointment with us. Alternatively, visit our site at https://www.aronfeld.com/practice-areas/cruise-ship-injuries/ and get more information regarding our services, including how we can assist you.

Name: Aronfeld Trial Lawyers

Address: Alhambra Plaza Penthouse Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Phone: (305) 441-0440