Going on a cruise ship is an exciting adventure for everyone. But, the wet environment can cause accidents for both passengers and staff.You must know the steps to take after getting hurt abroad a cruise ship.Here, you will know accidents to prepare for and what you need to do.
Common Accidents on a Cruise Ship
Passenger Accidents and Injuries
These are the incidents that can happen anywhere on a cruise ship. This can include incidents on elevators and escalators.
Falling objects and other malfunctioning ship features can cause these accidents.
Battery or Robbery
Unfortunately, crimes also happen at sea. These crimes can range from missing items in your cabin to even sexual assault.
If you are a victim of robbery or battery, you may pursue a legal case with a personal injury lawyer.
Accidental Drownings
Generally, there are safety measures to prevent drownings on cruise ships. But, drowning incidents can still happen in pools or spas on the ship’s recreational decks.
Vessel Malfunction
Ship operators are ready to overcome a vessel malfunction at sea. But, a vessel malfunction may overwhelm the operator’s maintenance abilities.
Vessel malfunctions can leave you and others injured or stranded at sea.
Overboard Accidents
Overboard accidents can happen while you are on a cruise ship. If you are involved in an overboard accident, you may have legal recourse.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are common on cruise ships given the wet environments. Ship operators take safety measures to ensure their staff or passengers do not slip and fall.
In Canada, roughly 42,000 workers get injured every year due to fall incidents. The number highlights how frequent accidents can happen.
Get the help of a personal injury lawyer if you get hurt on a cruise ship.
Luckily for those in the cities in Ontario, the province’s law society has over 57,000 lawyers. You can seek the help of slip and fall lawyers in Kingston, Hamilton, or other cities in the province.
Steps to Take After the Accident
1. Treat Your Injuries
If you get hurt on a cruise ship, the first thing to do is seek treatment. If your injury is severe, you may need immediate medical attention.
Cruise ships have medical professionals on board to treat those injured. Ships also have limited pharmaceuticals to treat minor, non-emergency wounds.
2. Know Your Rights
Cruise lines offer fun activities to enhance the experience for the passengers. But, like most adventures, these activities may lead to injuries.
The cruise lines often ask you to sign an Assumption of Risk form. This can release them from any liability in case of an injury.
If you signed a release form, you will need a lawyer to determine the impact the form could have on your injury claim.
Cruise ships operate under the rules set by the International Maritime Organization.
Each cruise line must have safety management systems. These systems include an accident investigation and reporting section.
This means that cruise lines must have a procedure to follow when a passenger has an injury.
3. Be Careful of What You Say
If you get injured, employees on the ship will investigate the accident. During this investigation, you will need to watch what you say to investigators.
Be careful of making statements that people may use against you. These can include:
“I was careless, it was my own fault.”
“It’s not serious, I’m sure it will be fine.”
During the investigation, be honest, but be aware of what you are saying. Do not make statements that can hurt your case.
It is important to remember that any injury can develop an infection. Illnesses and viruses may get worse before they get better.
4. Avoid Using Social Media
People use social media to share pictures of their vacations with their families.
If you are injured, try not to announce details on social media. Insurance companies may check your posts and use details there to shift the blame to you.
5. Talk to a Lawyer
Regardless of the cause of your injury, you will need the help of a personal injury lawyer. Schedule a consultation and bring all evidence you have collected.
Evidence can include bills for the treatment of your injury.
If someone else caused your injuries on a cruise ship, you are entitled to compensation.
Most people who go on a cruise have fun without incident. Spending time on a cruise ship is a great way to spend your vacation.
That said, accidents in cruises happen too, especially in wet environments.
If you experience an injury on a cruise ship, contact a personal injury lawyer. You will need an attorney who understands maritime law. Maritime law is a very complex field of law. Never assume that you do or do not have a case based on your personal opinion.
With a competent lawyer, you will know the next legal action to take. They can also help you secure the right compensation for you.
