Houston Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

While cruise ships are supposed to be an escape from the stresses and obligations of the world, it is unfortunately common for serious injuries to befall passengers and workers on these vessels. Depending on exactly how you were hurt and what you were doing on a cruise ship to begin with, you may have different legal rights and recovery options compared to someone else aboard. This can complicate the process of seeking fair compensation for the short-term and long-term effects of your injury.

A Houston cruise ship accident could provide assistance throughout every stage of your case. You could demand a private settlement, pursue a lawsuit in civil court, or seek restitution for an on-the-job injury through a Jones Act claim. Your dedicated maritime injury attorney could work diligently on your behalf to secure the best possible result.

Filing Suit Over an Injury as a Cruise Ship Passenger

Somebody who gets hurt on someone else’s private property on land could potentially sue over the landowner’s reckless or careless failure to keep their property in reasonably safe condition. Likewise, someone who gets injured while vacationing on a cruise ship may have grounds against the specific person responsible for their injuries, as well as the cruise line as a whole. Common situations which may give rise to a cruise ship claim include:

• Falling overboard
• Slipping and tripping accidents on deck
• Lack of security
• Accidents during off-ship excursions
• Sexual harassment or assault
• Negligence by onboard healthcare providers
• Lack of sanitation

A successful lawsuit or settlement demand against a cruise ship employee or company could allow recovery for both economic and non-economic forms of harm. This typically includes medical bills, lost work income, physical and psychological suffering, and lost enjoyment of life. If a cruise ship accident results in someone’s wrongful death, surviving family members may have standing to pursue restitution for their own losses in the decedent’s name.

Importantly, accidents on cruise ships are typically subject to federal law rather than Texas state law. This is because they often occur out in international waters and on vessels which are officially based out of ports in other states or countries. A Houston cruise ship accident attorney could explain the rules and restrictions that apply in this scenario during a private initial consultation.

Recovering for a Work-Related Cruise Ship Accident

Workers on cruise ships are considered “seamen” under federal law. This means they typically have a right to demand restitution under the federal Jones Act if they get hurt or become seriously ill due to conditions they are exposed to on the job. The Jones Act takes the place of traditional workers’ compensation for maritime workers who spend a substantial portion of their working time out at sea. It allows recovery for both economic and non-economic losses for any worker who can establish that negligence by their employer contributed in any way to causing their work-related injury or illness.

Once again, a cruise ship injury lawyer in Houston could play a key role in effectively pursuing this claim and obtaining fair recovery.

Contact a Houston Cruise Ship Accident Attorney Today

Cruise ships can be surprisingly dangerous places if the workers on board and the companies which own and operate these vessels are negligent in performing their duties. Fortunately, you should have grounds to demand civil restitution after getting hurt or seriously sick aboard a cruise ship. To do this, you must understand and effectively utilize your legal rights.

Support from a Houston cruise ship accident lawyer is critical. Contact Schechter Shaffer & Harris, LLC to set up a consultation.