According to statistics, 15 cruise ships sank between 2010 and 2013. In the period 2005 to 2013, a total of 79 cruise ship collisions were reported. During this same period, 101 fires in cruise ships were reported.
Most of the statistical data that involves cruise incidents and passenger ship accidents is based on official reports that the United States Coast Guard publishes online. Other sources are local police reports and online news media.
Commonly Asked Questions about Cruise Ship Lawsuits
Many people have questions about suing cruise ships, and often do not get the answers they need. Here are a few of the most common questions that are asked regarding cruise ships and suing them.
Q1: How much time do I have to file a lawsuit against a cruise ship?
Answer: This depends on the cruise ship and the provisions that your passenger ticket contains. Although for most maritime negligence cases, the statute of limitation is three years, a majority of the major cruise lines, as well as a lot of the smaller ones, require passengers to file a lawsuit within one year of the date they were injured. As the time for filing a lawsuit can make a difference in whether you can file suit, it is important to consult a personal injury lawyer with experience in handling maritime cases as soon as possible after you have injured yourself.
Q2: Is it necessary to notify the cruise line that I intend to file suit?
Answer: As in the case of time, for filing suit, notifying the cruise line also depends on the cruise ship and the provisions that the passenger ticket contains. In most cases, cruise lines require a notice of your intent to bring a claim within a short time of getting injured. Although an attorney does not need to prepare the notice as it may affect your case and your legal rights, it is crucial to consult a maritime attorney soon after being injured.
Q3: Where do I file the lawsuit?
Answer: This too depends on the provisions that the passenger ticket contains. If the provisions in the ticket require the suit to be filed in a particular court or state, you will have to do so. If you do not, your case may be dismissed and you could end up losing your right to refile the suit in the proper forum. A large number of the major cruise lines require that you file in the state where they are based and also ensure that you do so in federal district court and not in state court. If you file in the wrong place, your right to recover could be jeopardized, which is why it is critical that you obtain a copy of your ticket and consult a lawyer experienced in maritime issues.
A Law Firm that Throws Out Life Vests all the Time
If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise ship in an accident caused by the cruise line’s negligence, you should immediately consult one of the many profound and sagacious personal injury lawyers at the golden Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff Law firm on 212-344-1000. The first meeting is free. Give us a call. We know how to win cases and we only take a percentage of the final verdict or settlement at the end. You only pay us if we win. Call us today!
