Can I Sue Celebrity Cruises for an Accident?

You could sue Celebrity Cruises for an accident if it negligently caused injuries on a cruise ship or one of its excursions. Any accident caused by negligence, recklessness, or carelessness could provide the basis for a personal injury claim. By taking legal action, you can recover economic and noneconomic damages.

You can file a lawsuit or insurance claim by collecting evidence proving the cruise company’s negligence. This requires a thorough investigation and assessment of your recoverable damages. If you opt to work with a law firm, a local Florida cruise ship accident lawyer could accept your case at no upfront cost.

Commonly Reported Types of Cruise Ship Accidents

Cruise ships are large, bustling places that house thousands of passengers. It has many onboard activities, including swimming pools, buffets, and archery tournaments. A cruise can also involve multiple stops, offering excursions and outings. 

All these activities come with the potential of accidents that could lead to catastrophic injuries. Some of the most frequently reported accidents include:

• Accidental drownings 
• Bed bug infestations
• Falls overboard 
• Foodborne illnesses 
• Medical malpractice
• Physical altercations
• Shore excursion accidents 
• Slip and fall accidents 
• Swimming pool injuries 

In your compensation request, you will describe your accident in detail and include evidence that cites its causes and contributing factors. If negligence played a role, you could be entitled to compensation.

Consider Getting Legal Support Versus Suing Celebrity Cruises by Yourself

Were you hurt while on a cruise and considering taking legal action? You could benefit from working with a Florida cruise ship accident attorney. They can help you understand each phase of your injury claim and manage all the details of your case so that you can focus on getting better. 

Financial Compensation for Injured Celebrity Cruises Passengers and Families

The costs of treating and recovering from a cruise ship injury can continue long after the cruise ends. The types of compensation you can request via an insurance claim or lawsuit include the following:

• Past, current, and future medical bills
• Past, current, and future lost income 
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Lost or damaged personal property 
• Lasting disfigurement or impairment 
• Ongoing physical pain and suffering 
• Ongoing mental and emotional distress

Be sure to keep any bills or receipts you incur for accident or injury-related expenses while onboard or at an excursion site. It would help if you also tracked relevant expenses upon your return home to ensure you don’t overlook or inadvertently omit any while preparing your compensation request.

Wrongful Death Compensation for Cruise Ship Fatalities

If your family lost a loved one on a Celebrity Cruises voyage, you have our sincerest condolences. While you grieve, a wrongful death attorney will work to recover these forms of compensation:

• Loss of support and services 
• Loss of companionship 
• Loss of protection 
• Emotional pain and suffering 
• Loss of companionship
• Burial and funeral expenses 

According to Florida Statutes § 768.21, the decedent’s spouse, children, and parents can bring a wrongful death action and recover damages.

File Your Lawsuit Against Celebrity Cruises Within the Allotted Time

Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami, FL, meaning you would file your lawsuit either in a Miami-Dade County court or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, depending on how far out to sea the incident occurred.

If you file in state court, you generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. However, a federal claim requires you to notify the cruise line within six months of your injury or loved one’s passing and file your lawsuit within one year of the accident (46 USC § 30526).

Please act quickly because an expired filing deadline could jeopardize your right to compensation. 

File Your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Insurance Claim Promptly

Failing to file your lawsuit on time could also jeopardize your insurance claim. The cruise liner’s legal and insurance representatives will monitor the filing deadline, and the insurer may cease all settlement negotiations once it expires. 

In addition, the cruise line may have separate notification and filing deadlines that you must meet to avoid losing the right to file a claim. A cruise ship injury lawyer will review its policy, including the fine print, to ensure you meet the claim guidelines.

Build a Solid Evidence File to Support Your Case

Evidence tells the story of your accident—the sequence of events, the cruise line’s negligence, and your related expenses and losses. Your case file might include:

• Medical records that describe your injuries
• Medical bills that document their ongoing costs
• Employment records that document your lost income
• Statements from eyewitnesses and relevant experts
• Photos and video footage from fellow passengers
• Official Celebrity Cruises’ incident or accident reports

Start your evidence collection with first aid and other medical records documenting any onboard treatment you received. Keep collecting evidence while you receive care and as your case develops and progresses.

A Compelling Evidence File Will Prove the Legal Elements of Negligence

Seeking compensation for a cruise ship accident requires proving negligence caused it. Thus, you must establish the legal requirements of negligence:

• Duty of care: The cruise liner’s responsibility to provide safe passage.
• Breach of duty: The cruise liner’s failure to meet its legal obligation.
• Causation: The link between an act of negligence and your accident.
• Damages: Evidence of the accident’s negative financial consequences.

Your evidence collection will do this for you. So, create a detailed and well-documented case file and be prepared to submit it to Celebrity Cruises’ insurance company.

Get Legal Support When You Sue Celebrity Cruise Lines

You can sue Celebrity Cruises for an accident that was caused by negligence. Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers will investigate your accident, build a convincing evidence collection, and take on the insurance company. Work with our partners directly and discover how our family fights for yours to get your money faster.

One of our team members will evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action. Contact our consultation team today to get started.