Cruise Injury Claims

We can assist you if you have been injured following a trip, slip, or fall, or if there has been a hazard such as a falling object or a defective piece of machinery on your cruise liner. If your injury is caused by a more serious incident, such as the ship being grounded, capsizing, or colliding, you will likely not need to provide proof of fault, as strict liability should apply.

It is also possible to make cruise ship compensation claims if you have had an accident while on an excursion; however, as the Athens Convention may not necessarily cover such accidents, the process can be more complex. Cruise ship compensation claims are notoriously complicated, and you are advised to seek early legal advice.

If you intend to make a claim for cruise ship injury compensation following your injury, gather as much evidence as possible showing that it was the cruise liner that was at fault and that their negligence caused your accident.

Information and evidence that could help us pursue your ship accident compensation may include photographs or videos of the accident area, as well as witness statements, photographs, or recordings gathered from anyone who witnessed the event.

You are also advised to report the accident to the ship’s doctor and senior officers on board, so that they can record the event, and those in your party can review how they treat you in response.

Keep a record of the diagnosis, any medical treatment you are given on board, and any prescriptions. Depending on the severity of the accident and your injuries, you may be required to be taken to the hospital from the cruise ship.

Alternatively, if you are treated on board, ensure you visit your own GP upon return to the UK so that the accident is documented in your medical notes.

Keep a record and receipts of any costs you are faced with due to the accident, both on board and upon your return, such as:

• Travel costs
• Medical treatment and prescription costs
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation bills
• Loss of earnings
• Home alterations to accommodate you and your care

As you are on holiday, the cruise will likely offer you some form of gift while you are still on board, such as an upgrade to make your stay more comfortable or a voucher for on-board spending. While it may be tempting to take these, you should be wary that they may make you ineligible to make a future claim if you are required to sign a document forfeiting your right to bring a cruise injury claim.  

The first stage is to have an initial conversation with us to discuss the events that led to your accident, your injuries, and how it has impacted your day-to-day life. If we believe you have a claim, we will write to the tour operator or cruise carrier informing them of our intention to bring a claim for cruise accident compensation and present them with the evidence.

If they then accept liability, we will negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If this cannot be reached, or they do not accept liability, then your claim could proceed to Court. We will support you at every stage of the claim to ensure you do not experience any further burden or anxiety.

By working with Warner Goodman, you can rest assured that we will bring the experience and knowledge necessary to advise you accurately on the success of your claim. We’ll also be able to connect you with our trusted network of professionals, including medical experts and rehabilitation specialists.

Under the Athens Convention, accident at sea claims must be brought within two years from the date you disembarked the ship. We always recommend seeking advice as soon as possible..

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and your subsequent injuries, your ship accident compensation could include:

• General damages, often referred to as payment for your pain, loss and suffering,
• Additional costs, such as medical costs incurred either on the cruise or for treatment afterwards, and;
• Loss of earnings if you have not been able to work during your recovery or if you have been forced to give up work entirely due to the injuries sustained.

If you are a crew member and have an accident on a cruise ship, you can still make a claim; however, this would be treated as a work-related accident claim, as opposed to a cruise injury compensation claim.

Yes, you are likely to be able to make a claim if you have been injured while on a cruise. Cruise ship compensation claims can cover a variety of accidents, including trips, slips, falls, food poisoning, and injuries caused by unsafe conditions on board.

It is crucial that you can prove that the cruise line, or those responsible for your safety, failed in their duty of care. If negligence can be proven, then you may be entitled to cruise injury compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and your pain.

If your accident has prevented you from working, then you can typically include loss of earnings as a part of your claim. Cruise accident claims should cover not only immediate medical expenses but also lasting financial implications resulting from the inability to work.

Ship injury compensation can account for both past and future losses of income, and in some cases, additional costs such as medical or travel expenses as part of the cruise ship accident compensation.

The time limit for cruise ship claims is typically shorter than a standard personal injury case. Generally, you have two years from the date of the incident to initiate legal proceedings. If this deadline is missed, then you may lose your right to ship accident compensation.

It’s highly recommended to seek legal advice as early as possible to maximise your chances of receiving compensation. Circumstances can vary depending on the cruise operator and the severity of the incident, so acting promptly helps preserve your right to pursue cruise accident compensation and improves the likelihood of a successful outcome.