Cruise Ship Water Park Injuries
Cruises are very popular vacations that families and adults alike love to take. These cruise ships are almost like little cities that are full of excitement and entertainment in a picturesque setting for vacations. In some cases, there are amusement parks or water parks on the cruise ship as well. There are so many things to do at these water parks, making them a fun way to spend your vacation. However, these can also be very dangerous places which can lead to accidents. When an accident happens, you need to know what your rights are and what to do after an accident.
Common Injuries Caused by Cruise Ship Water Parks
Water park injuries can be a major cause for cruise ship injuries. The pool areas are popular hangout spots but there are plenty of hazards throughout the area. Lifeguards can make the area safer, but unfortunately there are limited lifeguards and they can’t possibly have eyes everywhere. There is also the added risk of the availability of alcohol in these areas, that can be a contributing factor to many injuries.
Some common injuries include:
- Drowning
- Falling off a tall slide
- Bruising
- Lacerations
- Choking
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
These are just some of the most common injuries that you may be at risk for at the cruise ship’s water park. Some of these accidents are minor, but there is the potential for fatal accidents to occur here.
Legal Rights
If an accident happened to you or a loved one, a personal injury lawyer with experience as a maritime lawyer can be of great help to you. You do have legal rights that you should be aware of. One law that you should be aware of is the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010. The purpose of this law was to make cruise ships a safer place for guests. This law also aims to make cruise ships more transparent, forcing them to disclose incidents to the public.
It is important to know many injury cases that involve cruise ships fall under maritime law, which is why a personal injury lawyer with maritime law experience can be necessary to win your case. These laws are separate from United States federal laws or the state laws. Maritime injury attorneys are better capable of handling the unique legal doctrines and court systems that are involved during this process.
Receiving Compensation for Your Cruise Ship Injuries
Accidents can potentially cause financial and emotional devastation, especially with serious injury and death. There’s more to your claim than just your medical bills. You can also be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, future medical bills, and any lost wages or future wages. Medical bills can be expensive enough, but medical bills incurred from a cruise ship injury can be even more substantial. When you get severely injured, you likely need to be evacuated off of the ship then taken to shore. The transportation costs associated with this alone can be very expensive, not counting any other medical expenses that may be incurred.
Pain and suffering is something that you may also be entitled to. This refers to not just pain that you suffered from the injuries, but also any interruptions to your regular life that may be caused by your injuries. There are also the lost wages that you may be entitled to for any work that you miss. Should you become too injured to work or cannot work in the capacity you once did, you may also be entitled for compensation for this.
After an Injury, What’s Next?
You need to get a personal injury lawyer involved in your case as soon as possible. One reason for this is because the sooner you get the lawyer, the sooner you can get started on the case. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and any next steps that need to take place. This is also important because there are time limits on how long you can wait before filing these claims. You don’t want to be denied the compensation that you deserve because you waited too long to file your claim. This is particularly important since some cruise lines require you to file a civil lawsuit in a really short period of time.
There are things that you should do as soon as you get injured. You should let staff and management know that you have been injured. Seek medical treatment right away, even if you don’t feel like you need it. By refusing medical treatment, you can negatively impact your case. This may show them that you weren’t injured, which they will use to fight your claim. If possible, try to take pictures and videos as well as see if any witnesses will give you their contact information. Collecting this evidence right away can be very helpful to your personal injury lawyer.
Finding the right personal injury lawyer to handle this case is important to achieve the best possible outcomes. You want someone who has a lot of experience in both personal injury and the intricate maritime laws. They will have the most knowledge to give you the best advice about your case. The lawyer will start looking into your evidence and gather as much information that they can. If you have a case, they will take care of everything for you. Whether you have to go to trial or are working towards a settlement, a reputable lawyer is the best person to help look out for your best interests.
Hire a Reputable Lawyer for Your Cruise Ship Water Park Injury
You want someone with experience who is willing to fight for you. Cruise lines often have unlimited money to fight claims, making it important for you to have someone on your side to fight for what’s best for you. If you have been injured while on a cruise, contact The Injury Firm today to see how we can help you with your case. We want our clients to get the compensation that they deserve.