CRUISE SHIPS

Fearless Representation against Even the Largest of Cruise Lines

The cruise industry has boomed over the last 10 years, as advancements in technology fuel the building of bigger, newer, and more luxurious cruise ships. The cruise ships of today are like miniature towns, complete with theme parks, shopping malls, gyms, extensive dining options, and entertainment centers. The largest are more than 10 stories tall and 1,000 feet long, with cabin space to fit thousands of passengers and thousands of crewmembers.

But as the cruise industry increases in size and splendor, so do associated problems. Reports of accidents and injuries have become rampant over the years, ranging from accounts of tragic drownings and near-drownings to incidents of devastating sexual assault.

Unfortunately, it is not always easy to hold cruise lines accountable for the accidents and injuries that occur aboard. Major cruise lines go to great lengths to absolve themselves from responsibility for accidents, requiring ticketholders to agree to a liability disclaimer and placing limitations on the time passengers have to file a lawsuit. They protect themselves with a team of top attorneys— masters of maritime law who use their knowledge, experience, and extensive resources to silence any claims against the cruise lines.

After being injured on a cruise ship, you will need an attorney on your side who is equally aggressive, resourceful, and experienced in maritime law. A knowledgeable cruise ship injury lawyer can stand up to major cruise lines and their team of attorneys on your behalf, crafting a sound defense and protecting your rights in court. A cruise lawyer will work to obtain the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other costs related to you and your family’s long-term recovery, while making sure that cruise lines take responsibility so that others don’t have to face the same problems you suffered.

At Lawlor, White & Murphey, our cruise injury attorneys have more than 40 years of experience with maritime litigation. We have worked with hundreds of clients in successful cruise injury cases, filing claims and defending their rights against major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. We do not believe that major lines should be able to use their money, power, and size to take advantage of passengers, crewmembers, and their families. That is why our firm has dedicated itself to protecting victims of cruise ship injuries and winning them the compensation that is both deserved and needed if they hope to heal and move on with their lives.

A Brief Look at Major Cruise Lines

Accidents and injuries can occur with any cruise line, regardless of the size and flashiness of their ships or the fame of their brand. In fact, some of the most high-profile accident cases have involved major brands like Carnival, Princess, and Disney.

Below, we have listed several of the most famous cruise lines of today that have seen some of the most infamous accidents, mishaps, and tragedies.

CARNIVAL

As one of the industry’s leading lines, Carnival is renowned and popular among cruise-goers around the world. Carnival boasts a fleet of more than 20 ships, each equipped with luxurious amenities and innovative technologies. However, Carnival has made headlines over the past few years thanks to disasters such as drownings, negligence, and disease outbreaks.

CELEBRITY

Though Celebrity is one of the smaller cruise lines, it has made a splash with its groundbreaking dining programs and high-tech amenities. Unfortunately, its innovative offerings have not been enough to prevent past disasters such as norovirus outbreaks, fire, and other accidents.

DISNEY

For some, Disney cruises are dream vacations, complete with luxurious facilities, thrilling activity centers, and unparalleled Disney signature entertainment. For others, Disney vacations are less-than-ideal, punctured with incidents of near-drownings and other accidents that result in injury and disillusionment with the much-loved family entertainment company.

HOLLAND AMERICA

Honored as one of the world’s most ethical companies, Holland America is committed to taking care of its passengers through superior medical facilities and exceptional fitness programs. Even so, Holland America is known for having experienced more norovirus outbreaks than any other cruise line. Negligent, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions aboard ships may have contributed to such outbreaks, as well as other accidents such as trip-and-falls.

MSC

Though this private cruise line has been around since 1987, MSC has only recently emerged in the US market. MSC ships venture to destinations across the world, including South Africa, the Canary Islands, and the United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately, traveling to so many foreign destinations can make it difficult to properly maintain sanitation and account for changing bacterial threats aboard ships. Incidents of illness, as well as crashes and other accidents, have been reported aboard MSC vessels.

NORWEGIAN

As a longstanding cruise line, Norwegian has popularized many of the common and beloved cruise practices of today. Norwegian’s hulking ships are equipped with unique amenities such as sport complexes, open-air gardens, and huge theaters. But many of their splendid ships also come with a history of accidents and injuries, including drownings and illness outbreak.

PRINCESS

Princess Cruises is another popular cruise line, known for its exciting onboard entertainment offerings and exotic destinations. But that is not all the cruise line is known for—recently, Princess came under scrutiny after a norovirus outbreak infected more than 175 passengers and crewmembers on one of its ships.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Royal Caribbean enjoys rave reviews thanks to the cruise line’s dedication to customer service as well as marine environment protection. But Royal Caribbean has seen more than its fair share of disasters, including overboard incidents and one of the worst norovirus outbreaks in years.

Seek Justice against Negligent Cruise Lines

Going up against any cruise line—big or small—can be a daunting feat, as many operate under the complicated clauses of maritime law and are protected by a team of attorneys. That is why it is critical to have an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer on your side when seeking justice for a cruise ship injury or other wrong. A lawyer can help you understand your options, and devise a defense strategy that can protect your rights and secure the compensation you need to recover and move on.

At Lawlor, White & Murphey, our cruise accident lawyers can boast decades of experience and countless successful cases. If you or a loved one has suffered injury or harm on a cruise ship, get in touch with us as soon as possible. One of our lawyers will listen to your case before helping you understand your options and filing your claim. If it becomes necessary to secure a fair settlement, our lawyers will not hesitate to take your case to court.

To learn more about what we can do for you and your unique case

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