New York Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

Did you suffer an injury on a cruise ship, either as a passenger or crew member? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for the many ways your injuries have affected your life. This could include money for your medical care, your lost income, the pain and suffering you’ve endured, and more. However, the laws concerning passenger and crew member injuries are complex. Moreover, the companies that operate cruise ships have considerable resources with which to fight claims and minimize payouts.

As you pursue your claim, it’s important to understand your rights and how to seek compensation for your injuries. When you board a cruise ship, you may be signing away some of your rights, and depending on where the ship is at the time of your injury, different laws could apply.

Louis A. Vucci P.A. specializes in representing injured cruise ship passengers and crew members in legal cases against cruise lines and other parties that caused their injuries. Contact our firm at (555) 555-5555 for a free consultation with an experienced New York cruise ship accident lawyer. We’ll review the details of your case, help you determine the applicable laws, and assist you in seeking the compensation you need and deserve.

What Injured New York Cruise Ship Passengers Need to Know

Passengers on cruise ships departing from New York must be aware of their rights and the steps to take if an injury occurs while on the ship or a cruise excursion. The three key items to be aware of are your cruise ticket, the timeline of events, and the laws governing your ability to seek compensation.

1. Your Cruise Ticket: The Fine Print Matters

Your cruise ticket includes vital information about your legal rights in the fine print. Before boarding the ship, make sure you read and understand the limitations imposed by the cruise line that could affect any legal claims.

One important detail included in the fine print is the deadline you have for filing a lawsuit against the cruise line after an injury. Typically, injured passengers have one year to file their lawsuit, which is shorter than in most U.S. states, including New York, where victims have three years. You could lose your right to recover compensation if you miss this one-year deadline.

Cruise ships also reserve the right to remove injured or sick passengers, and they can even prevent you from taking photographs in certain areas. These rules can sometimes make it challenging to collect the evidence you need for your lawsuit.

2. Timing Is Critical

Along with the one-year time limit for filing your lawsuit, there are other actions you must take as quickly as possible to protect your rights. For example, you must report the incident and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Failure to report the incident could void your legal claim, and if you don’t seek medical attention, the cruise line can argue that your injuries weren’t severe.

You also need to collect evidence before it gets lost. Photographs of hazardous conditions on the ship, eyewitness contact information, and your ship medical records can all play a significant role in your lawsuit.

Most importantly, you also need to contact an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer. The earlier you consult with a lawyer, the earlier they can begin working on your case so you don’t miss any critical deadlines.

3. Legal Jurisdiction: Not Always U.S. Laws

Although your cruise departs from New York, the ship’s registration may dictate that foreign laws apply. Most cruise ships are registered in countries like the Bahamas or Panama, which means those nations’ laws might govern legal issues. Understanding which laws apply to your case can be difficult, but a knowledgeable New York-based maritime lawyer can guide you through the process.

Crew Member Injury Claims Under the Jones Act

When a cruise ship crew member suffers an injury on a ship, they can seek compensation under the Jones Act, which is a federal law. The Jones Act has two main components for injured crew members:

• Maintenance and Cure – Crew members are entitled to types of compensation, reasonable living expenses, and medical care while recovering from their injury. This is because when injured on a cruise ship, crew members often don’t have alternative places to live or seek the care they need.
• Lawsuit Based on Negligence – Instead of a typical workers’ compensation claim, crew members can file lawsuits against their employer if the employer’s negligence contributed to their injury in any way.

Where Do I File a Cruise Ship Injury Claim for an Accident that Occurred in New York?

Unfortunately, cruise lines don’t make it easy to file lawsuits against them. Even if your cruise set out from and ended in a New York port, or you live in New York, you probably won’t be able to file your lawsuit in New York.

Most cruise lines include a “forum selection clause” in the fine print of their ticket. This clause allows the cruise line to choose where lawsuits against them must take place, and this is typically where the cruise line’s U.S. headquarters is located. The locations where the cruise lines operating out of New York ports force lawsuits to take place are:

• Carnival Cruise Line – Miami, Florida
• Royal Caribbean – Miami, Florida
• Norwegian Cruise Line – Miami, Florida
• Oceania Cruises – Miami, Florida
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Miami, Florida
• Crystal Cruises – Miami, Florida
• Celebrity Cruises – Miami, Florida
• Disney Cruise Line – Orlando, Florida
• Princess Cruises – Los Angeles, California
• Cunard Line – Los Angeles, California
• Holland America – Seattle, Washington

New York Port System: Key Information for Cruise Ship Injury Claims

The New York and New Jersey port system comprises three ports in the region. These are the Port of Manhattan, the Port of Brooklyn, and the Port of Cape Liberty. Depending on which cruise line operates the ship you’re embarking on, you’ll set out from a different one of these ports.

Port of Manhattan (New York, NY)

The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is owned by the City of New York and operated by Ports America. The following cruise lines operate out of this terminal:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Crystal Cruises

While the Port of Manhattan was originally the only port for cruise ships serving New York, it’s now one of three. Due to this, cruise lines now only dock at piers 88 and 90 on the North River. Despite its downsizing, this port is still home to several large cruise lines, including Disney, Carnival, and Norwegian.

This port is located at 711 12th Avenue, New York, NY.

Port of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY)

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is located in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn and is operated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The following cruise lines operate out of this terminal:

• Cunard Line (notably Queen Mary 2 for transatlantic cruises)
• Princess Cruises

Opened in 2006, the Port of Brooklyn is home to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which is also known as the Red Hook Cruise Terminal because of its location at Red Hook Pier 12. The flagship ocean liner of the Cunard Line, the Queen Mary 2, sets out from this port for its transatlantic cruises between New York and Southampton.

This port is located at 210 Clinton Wharf, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

Port of Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ)

The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is operated by Cape Liberty Cruise Port LLC. The following cruise lines operate out of this terminal:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises

Although Cape Liberty Cruise Port is technically located in Bayonne, New Jersey, it is considered part of the broader Port of New York and New Jersey system. Its close proximity—just across the Hudson River from Manhattan—makes it a popular departure point for passengers in the New York City area.

Due to its ease of access from New York and the shared metropolitan region, Cape Liberty is often grouped with New York cruise ports. It serves as a key terminal for major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

This port is located at 4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002.

Injuries and the Law: Understanding Negligence and Your Right to Compensation

Cruise lines are legally obligated to protect passengers and crew members from known or expected hazards. This means they should do things like:

• Clean up spills on floors and decks to remove slipping hazards
• Restrict passenger access to dangerous parts of the ship like the engine rooms
• Provide crew members with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to safely perform their job duties
• Perform routine maintenance on parts of the ship that are becoming run down

When a cruise line fails to maintain a safe environment for passengers or crew members, it can be liable for the injuries that result from its negligence. However, for a successful lawsuit, the injured party must be able to show that the cruise line’s negligence contributed to their injury by providing evidence.

Types of Cruise Ship Injury Cases We Handle In New York

Louis A. Vucci P.A. takes on a variety of different types of accident claims that arise from the cruise industry, including:

Passenger Claims

When a cruise ship passenger is injured due to negligence or unsafe conditions, they deserve compensation. Louis A. Vucci P.A. represents passengers who have suffered injuries from slips and falls, poorly maintained areas, or accidents during activities onboard. Our legal team will investigate every detail of your case. We’ll work to hold the cruise line accountable for the unsafe conditions that harmed you. We seek the compensation passengers deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering caused by the cruise line’s negligence.

Crew Member Claims

Cruise ship crew members face unique dangers in the workplace. Under the Jones Act and maritime labor laws, they are entitled to compensation for injuries sustained on the job. Louis A. Vucci P.A. assists crew members nationwide, handling claims related to unsafe working conditions, long hours, and neglect by ship operators. Whether it’s an injury from faulty equipment or a work-related medical condition, we fight for the rights of crew members. We’ll seek fair compensation for their pain, lost wages, and future care needs.

Shore Excursions

Cruise lines offer thrilling shore excursions. However, these activities can result in severe injuries if the proper safety measures aren’t taken. Whether the injury occurs from poorly maintained equipment, inadequate supervision, or accidents during off-ship activities, Louis A. Vucci P.A. is here to help. We understand the complexities of these cases, from jurisdictional issues to identifying responsible parties. Our team works diligently to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses caused by accidents during shore excursions.

Medical Negligence 

Cruise ship passengers and crew rely on onboard medical personnel for care during emergencies. Unfortunately, medical negligence—such as improper diagnosis or delayed treatment—can lead to devastating outcomes. If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice aboard a cruise ship, Louis A. Vucci P.A. can help. We’ll investigate the medical records, consult medical experts, and fight for compensation to cover your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. Trust our team to hold negligent medical staff accountable for their actions and pursue the justice you deserve.

Sexual Assault 

Cruise ship passengers and crew are entitled to a safe environment, but lapses in security or misconduct can lead to tragic incidents such as sexual assault. If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault aboard a cruise ship, Louis A. Vucci P.A. offers compassionate, assertive legal representation. We help survivors through the complex legal issues related to these crimes and hold the cruise line accountable for its failure to provide a safe environment. Our dedicated team works to secure justice and the compensation victims deserve for their suffering, including medical expenses and emotional distress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do After a Cruise Ship Accident in New York?

After a cruise ship accident in New York, you should seek medical treatment and gather evidence to support your lawsuit. Gathering evidence includes taking pictures of your visible injuries and the accident scene if a hazardous condition on the ship contributed to the incident.

Here are some practical steps you can take to support your claim:

• Seek medical attention onboard the ship. The CLIA’s passenger bill of rights requires ships to have a full-time medical practitioner.
• Alert ship staff to the incident. Tell them the time, location, and circumstances of your injuries.
• Ask to have a copy of the incident report they compile.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene if you can, as this could provide crucial context as you pursue a claim for compensation.
• Get the names and contact information of anyone who may have seen the accident unfold. Their testimony could support your claim.
• Do not agree to any settlements or sign any legal documents until you’ve spoken to an attorney.

Finally, and most critically, you should also contact an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer who can help you with all aspects of your case, from identifying liable parties to filing your lawsuit to representing you in court.

How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Cruise Ship Accident in New York?

Typically, cruise lines limit the time injured passengers have to file their lawsuits to one year. Check the fine print on your ticket for the exact amount of time you have to sue. However, in general, it’s less time than you would have if your injury occurred on shore, so it’s essential that you begin working with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What Types of Injuries Can I Claim for a Cruise Ship Accident in New York?

You can seek compensation for various injuries suffered on a cruise ship. Some of the most common injuries suffered by passengers and crew members include:

• Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries commonly result from slips and falls, which are frequent on cruise ships. Wet decks and congested hallways can increase the likelihood of these injuries.
• Broken Bones – Passengers who slip and fall or crew members working with heavy machinery can suffer broken bones.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries – If you strike your head during a fall, it can cause a TBI. These injuries range from mild concussions to permanent brain damage.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Falls can also lead to spinal cord injuries, which may result in permanent paralysis.

Cruise lines may also be responsible for illnesses that break out because of unsafe conditions on their vessels. For example, they could be to blame if you suffered severe food poisoning due to improper handling of food products or developed an illnesses like Legionnaire’s Disease because maintenance crews did not clean air conditioning systems appropriately.

What Compensation Can I Get in a New York Cruise Ship Accident Lawsuit?

The compensation you can seek through your lawsuit against a cruise line for an injury includes:

• Compensation for past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, prescription medications, medical treatments, and medical devices
• Compensation for lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to work
• Compensation for physical pain and suffering
• Compensation for accommodating permanent disability
• Compensation for emotional distress

Can I Sue the Cruise Ship If I Was Injured in a Shore Excursion in New York?

If the cruise line was negligent in the planning or supervising of a shore excursion in New York, you could have grounds to sue them over an injury you suffered as a result. However, cruise lines often contract with shore-based companies to plan and operate these excursions, so that party might be the one liable for your injuries. An experienced cruise ship accident lawyer can review your case and determine who could owe you compensation for what happened.

Contact A New York Cruise Ship Injury Attorney

Understanding what compensation you could be entitled to after a cruise ship injury is essential for your personal injury claim. Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. online or call us at (555) 555-5555 for a free consultation with a seasoned maritime personal injury lawyer. We’ll evaluate your claim and explain your legal options.