When you plan a summer cruise, the last thing on your mind is the possibility that you could suffer a cruise ship injury. Unfortunately, cruise ships are not immune to accidents, injuries, or illness. In fact, cruise ships have some unique risks that land-based vacation destinations may not.
If you are planning to take a cruise this summer, here are some tips for what you should do if you suffer a cruise ship injury.
Get Medical Attention
The first thing you should do after a cruise ship injury is get medical attention. Every major cruise line equips ships with an on-board clinic. These clinics are staffed with a doctor and nurses, and are generally equipped to manage minor injuries and illnesses. If the clinic cannot manage your injury, you will be kept comfortable and stable until you can be transported to a hospital.
Clinic staff are most often contractors, which means that they do not work directly for the cruise line. That means that if you have questions, concerns, or complaints about your medical care while on the ship, the cruise line will be limited in what they can offer.
Report the Cruise Ship Injury
Cruise ship companies and staff are required to follow certain safety guidelines. When cruise ship injury occurs, staff must follow protocols in documenting and investigating the injury. If you are injured while on a cruise ship, make sure that the accident and injuries are reported to staff. If you give a statement, make sure you are careful what you say. Stick to the facts, and avoid arguing blame. Make sure you get a copy of the official report.
Document Your Cruise Ship Injury
In addition to obtaining a copy of the accident report, it is a good idea to document the accident and injuries yourself. Make notes of when, where, and how the accident happened. If you can, take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
If you are able to do so, get contact information for witnesses who may have seen what happened. It is very difficult to locate witnesses after-the-fact since cruises are comprised of travelers from all over the world. It can also be difficult getting statements from cruise staff after the ship has moved on.
Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer
After a cruise ship injury, it is very important to contact a maritime injury lawyer to discuss your accident and injuries. You may be entitled to financial compensation if your injuries were the result of negligence. A maritime injury lawyer can help you determine the best options for your situation.
At Maritime Injury Guide, our maritime injury lawyers can help you understand and protect your legal rights. We will carefully review the details of your cruise ship injury to determine if you have a maritime injury claim. If so, we will make sure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations (deadline).
We will also make sure that you have legal support throughout the claims process. We are experienced communicating and negotiating with insurance companies and cruise lines. No matter what sort of injury you suffered, we can help. To get started, fill out our online form to schedule a free injury consultation.