Miami Cruise Ship Drowning and Pool Accident Lawyer

When you are badly hurt on a cruise ship, you have a small window to file a claim against the cruise line. So, you must speak with a Miami cruise ship accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine your legal rights. Call the maritime lawyers at Wolfson & Leon today for a free consultation at (305) 285-1115.

Relaxing in the sun and visiting new places appeals to many vacationers looking to get away. Travelers can spend their days visiting exotic destinations or just lounging by the pool.

Yet the deep seas and abundant water activities can place passengers of any age in danger. Drownings, or near drownings, can happen in the pools and hot tubs found on cruise ships. Passengers may drown if they fall overboard or inhale salt water when snorkeling.

Drowning accidents devastate families. If your family has been severely impacted by a drowning incident or any other cruise ship accident, you need to determine your rights. Passengers may fail to seek legal remedies to compensate them for damages because they signed a liability waiver. Yet, signing a release does not automatically mean you don't have rights you're your family has been impacted by a drowning accident.

Drowning happens when you experience breathing impairment when submerged or immersed in water. A drowning accident can be fatal or result in severe injury caused by a lack of oxygen. Even if a passenger survives a near drowning accident, it can still prove to be fatal at a later point if the inhaled water causes inflammation or swelling in the lungs.

Non-fatal drowning accidents may still cause severe damage. Passengers who survive a drowning accident may experience catastrophic injuries, such as lung damage and brain injuries from the lack of oxygen.

Passengers may drown for a variety of reasons. Inadequate supervision around pools and hot tubs may lead to drowning accidents, especially for children. Trained lifeguards are an extra expense for cruise ships. As such, some cruise lines don’t provide lifeguards around pools or hot tubs and, instead, choose to post signs that using such activities is at your own risk. Without a trained lifeguard to recognize an emergency and provide immediate assistance, passengers may be unable to find emergency help when needed. Passengers may also be badly hurt or lose their lives if the cruise ship employs lifeguards who aren't adequately trained, fail to pay attention, or don't assist in a timely fashion in the event of an emergency.

People may also drown if they become stuck or entrapped in underwater pool equipment or if they are injured while swimming. Drowning accidents may also occur if a passenger falls overboard or is hurt while participating in an off-shore excursion, such as snorkeling or diving.

The laws governing cruise ship accidents are complex and differ from laws covering land-based accidents. When your loved one has been badly injured or lost their life due to a drowning accident, you should consult an attorney who understands the complexities of maritime law and can explain what legal options may be available.

A Miami maritime attorney can also help you navigate the strict deadlines and requirements of the cruise line. Passengers often don't realize that their ticket is essentially a contract with the cruise line. Most cruise lines give passengers a short time, usually six months, to provide notification that they intend to file a claim. From there, most cruise lines require a lawsuit to be filed within one year of the accident and only in the court specified by your ticket. Your claim could be thrown out if you do not strictly adhere to these rules.

A drowning accident may cause irreparable harm to a passenger. Families with loved ones severely hurt or lost their lives in a cruise ship drowning accident should contact Wolfson & Leon today for help. Our Miami maritime lawyer team understands the pain families face when someone they love has been badly hurt or worse. We review the circumstances around your accident at no charge and talk to you about legal remedies that may be available. Find out more by calling (305) 285-1115 today for your free and confidential consultation.