When you booked your cruise, the last thing you expected was ending your excursion in worse shape than you were in when it began. Unfortunately, cruise ship mishaps, injuries and illnesses plague many vacationers.
It may help you feel better to know that you may qualify for financial compensation after suffering a cruise ship injury or illness. To protect your restitution and help ensure that you are compensated fairly, learn more about your options.
Who pays for passenger harm?
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) requires cruise lines with large ships that embark from U.S. ports to obtain a bond or financial surety to cover certain passenger losses (including injuries and illnesses) on a voyage. Such rules exist to help ensure that harmed passengers face no undue financial hardships if they get sick or hurt while on a vessel.
What injuries and illnesses are covered?
Many are. You may have heard scary stories about food poisoning or water-borne illnesses plaguing cruise ship passengers. Generally, most excursions are safe, but when something that could have been prevented made you sick, you may qualify for compensation.
Regarding physical injuries, most that arise due to negligence are compensable under maritime and Florida law. Examples include:
- Slip or trip and fall injuries
- Assault or attack injuries
- Negligent health care injuries and illnesses
Accidents occurring ashore or onboard a cruise ship’s recreational craft (small boats, etc.) may also qualify for compensation when negligence is a factor.
As you might imagine, filing a claim for compensation when harmed on a cruise ship is a complex matter. Experienced legal guidance may strengthen your claim and ease you through the process.