Standing Up For Those Injured On Cruise Ships

Miami is known as the cruise ship capital of the world. Thousands of people flock to its ports each day to cast off to sea.

However, for some people, their vacation ends up becoming a nightmare. Cruise ship injuries can derail your trip and leave you with lasting harm. Serious injuries may have a long-term impact on your life.

If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise ship, you need an experienced lawyer to successfully handle your claim. Attorney Tonya Meister at Meister Law, LLC, is the proven advocate you need to get the results you deserve. As an award-winning attorney with over 20 years of experience and a board certification in admiralty and maritime law through The Florida Bar, she is a respected legal authority in all aspects of cruise ship injury law.

Why Hire Tonya Meister – An Experienced Miami-Based Maritime Lawyer

You can rest assured that attorney Meister has the dedication, experience and skill to help you secure the best possible results. She has devoted her entire career to helping boaters, crew members, cruise passengers, seafarers and maritime disaster victims obtain justice. She is specialized and only handles maritime cases, unlike other attorneys who handle a wide variety of cases. Attorney Meister’s experience in maritime law is unparalleled. With more than 20 years of experience helping individuals who have been hurt on the water, she has earned a reputation for delivering counsel that is:

• Knowledgeable: Board-certified in admiralty and maritime law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education, attorney Meister has a wealth of information at her command. She handles complex maritime legal matters to help secure the best results for her clients. She has served in a variety of leadership positions in the maritime legal field, including as a former chair of the American Association for Justice’s Admiralty Law Section and The Florida Bar’s Admiralty Law Committee. She has also been included on the Florida Super Lawyers list.
• Compassionate and responsive: Each Meister Law, LLC, client receives personal attention and the utmost respect. Attorney Meister explains your legal rights and the legal process. She only represents individuals harmed by ship or boat owners, operators and employers. She is dedicated to getting the best result for you! She understands that you are going through a difficult time and does her very best to bring your case to a timely, successful conclusion. Your case will be handled from start to finish by a qualified attorney who truly cares about your welfare.
• Strong: Attorney Meister has diligently sought justice for her clients for more than 20 years. She truly understands what being at sea is like, as she is a devoted boater and former seafarer. This practical experience, along with her deep knowledge of maritime law, allows her to provide insightful, solution-focused guidance in maritime accident cases. She is a strong advocate who fights for the rights of her clients. She vigorously pursues a successful outcome for each client.

Pursuing Successful Claims For Any Kind Of Cruise Ship Injury

When you purchase a ticket for a cruise, your thoughts are about how you will enjoy yourself – not the legal terms that govern your trip. If you are harmed while on a cruise, a seasoned maritime lawyer is necessary to give you a fair chance at recovery.

Attorney Meister has the knowledge you need to pursue a successful claim. She represents cruise ship passengers and crew members in personal injury and wrongful death cases such as:

• Falls: Slippery surfaces, trip hazards and poor lighting can create dangerous conditions for unsuspecting passengers.
• Bad medical care: Some cruise passengers are seriously harmed by negligent medical care on cruise ships. Medical conditions should be properly diagnosed and treated on the cruise ship. Passengers with emergency and life-threatening conditions should be medically evacuated to a proper shoreside hospital. When this does not happen, resulting in serious harm to a passenger, attorney Meister seeks justice to compensate for the losses.
• Sexual assault and rape: Alcohol and shipboard social life can create an environment conducive to sexual attacks and rapes. The cruise line should have adequate security and not overserve alcohol. The cruise line is responsible for any misconduct of crew members.
• Shore excursions and shipboard activities: Extra activities are a common component of cruise packages. When these excursions or activities go wrong, attorney Meister seeks justice. She also handles accidents involving tenders (the vessels that ferry passengers to shore).
• Food poisoning and illnesses: News reports frequently describe illnesses that affect ship passengers due to poor hygiene or food preparation practices. If you have become ill on board and suffered serious injuries, attorney Meister can help you seek appropriate compensation.
• Disappearances: If someone you know or traveled with disappeared while on a cruise, attorney Meister has the resources to press cruise operators for key information and damages.

While attorney Meister is often able to secure great results through skillful negotiation, she is also highly capable of taking cruise ship companies and other negligent parties to court. Her extensive experience in cruise ship litigation includes a case that attracted national media attention when crew members were stranded aboard a bankrupt cruise ship with no pay or way home. She has helped clients from all walks of life obtain successful results in cases against major cruise line companies, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC, Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Why Knowledgeable Legal Guidance Is So Critical In Cruise Ship Injury Cases

Cruise ship injury cases are much different than other types of personal injury claims. Without a skilled maritime attorney, passengers often face an uphill battle when filing suit against cruise ship companies. Many legal complexities come into play in these cases.

When you purchase a cruise ticket, you are entering into a contract with the cruise company. These contracts are written to shield cruise lines from liability in the event a passenger is injured or dies due to an accident.

These contracts also limit both the amount of time you have to file a claim and where you can file suit. Often, the deadline is only one year after the accident. In addition, often the only place where a lawsuit can be filed against cruise companies is federal court in Miami. Inexperienced nonmaritime attorneys who try to handle these cases often encounter roadblocks and delays in determining whether the laws of Florida, the United States or a foreign country apply in your case.

Attorney Meister understands the complexities of maritime law and works tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected.

Get Help Pursuing The Full Compensation You Deserve

After a cruise ship accident, you may be entitled to receive money, including monetary compensation for:

• Your injuries
• Lost wages/benefits
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering

Attorney Meister has helped many clients get the compensation they deserved for their injuries, and she stands ready to assist you today.

What You Can Expect During A Free Consultation

Starting with a free initial consultation, attorney Meister will outline the laws and conditions that apply to your claim. Though cruise lines often go to great lengths to avoid liability, she knows how to overcome their defenses to pursue a fair outcome.

Let her put her knowledge and skill to work for you today. Call Meister Law, LLC, at 305-703-6075 or send an email to get started.