Have you been injured on a cruise ship near Jacksonville, Florida? You may be entitled to recover significant compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. However, taking on a major cruise line and winning your case without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer may be difficult.
At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims. Contact us today at (904) 396-1100 to schedule a free consultation with a Jacksonville cruise ship accident lawyer and learn more about how we can help you.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Cruise Ship Accident in Jacksonville, FL
The time after a cruise ship accident in Jacksonville, FL, can be tough. You are left dealing with your injuries, and the thought of taking on a major corporation, like a cruise line, may seem overwhelming. Thankfully, the team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help.
We understand just how serious these situations can be, so we will give you and your case the personal attention you deserve. Clients in Jacksonville know they can turn to us after cruise ship accidents, car accidents, medical malpractice, and more.
We can help you after a cruise ship accident by:
- Investigating your accident to determine all the details about your case
- Determining the specific laws that apply to your case
- Interviewing cruise ship employees and other witnesses
- Gathering evidence, such as medical records, cruise logs, or surveillance footage, to help prove your case
- Using experts in the cruise industry to help bolster your claim
- Handling all communications with the cruise line and their insurance company
- Negotiating a settlement for your claim that fairly compensates you for all your injuries
- Filing a civil lawsuit and taking your case to a jury when settlement negotiations stall
After a cruise ship accident, do not wait until it is too late to get compensation for your injuries. Call the experienced team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer and let us put our experience to work for you.
How Common Are Cruise Ship Accidents?
Since cruise lines do not publish most accident data, it can be difficult to determine just how many accidents occur on board cruise ships each year. However, most data suggests that thousands of injuries occur every year.
In fact, data from one cruise ship shows that 663 injuries were reported on board that single ship within a 3-year period. Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in severe injuries, and some result in fatalities.
What Causes Most Cruise Ship Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of injuries aboard cruise ships include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent medical care
- Food poisoning
- Defective products, like furniture or gym equipment
- Poorly maintained premises
- Negligent security
No matter the cause, cruise ship operators have a duty to ensure passenger safety—and when they fail, they can be held accountable for the harm their negligence causes.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Cruise Ship Accident Victims?
A cruise line has a duty to maintain the ship in a reasonably safe manner. When they fail to do so, accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate injured passengers for their financial losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emergency transport services
Proving the value of these damages is usually pretty easy. There are specific bills or receipts associated with each of these losses. However, putting a dollar figure on your non-economic damages is much more challenging.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include your intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
The value of these damages will depend on how your life has been affected by your injuries. The team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help put an accurate value on all your damages to ensure you are getting all the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Lastly, keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim after a cruise ship accident. Most personal injury claims in Florida must be filed within two years from the date of the accident.
Failure to file your claim in time may totally bar you from recovering any compensation. However, since the rules surrounding cruise ship accidents can get complex, you should always get help from an experienced lawyer as soon after your accident as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Jacksonville Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a cruise ship accident in Jacksonville, FL, contact the experienced team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers today. We can help you determine the specific laws that apply to your case and put an accurate value on your claim.
We are not afraid to take on the large cruise lines and hold them accountable when their negligence causes you harm. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Jacksonville cruise ship accident attorney.