Can I sue a cruise company?

When accidents such as falls or even intentional actions like assault occur, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. The cruise company is responsible for ensuring their cruises are as safe as possible, so when they are negligent, you may have grounds to file a claim.

What federal agency regulates cruise lines?

While there is no specific federal agency that regulates cruise lines, certain agencies may be able to take complaints. For example, the Federal Maritime Commission has laws regarding passenger vessels carrying more than 50 passengers from a U.S. port, and they can review problems or inquiries from passengers.

Who controls the cruise industry?

When it comes to maintaining safety measures, the cruise industry is regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. They are responsible for checking cruise ship safety, ensuring that they are following vessel inspection laws, and taking action if the safety of the passengers or workers is in danger.

What do you call the workers on a cruise ship?

Many names can be used for the workers in a cruise ship, from crew members to shipmates and more. Each ship should have information for contacting the right members of the crew.

Tampa Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer | Florida Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys

Our Premier Cruise Ship Accident Law Firm Makes Negligent Cruise Lines and At-Fault Parties Pay

Every year, more than a million passengers set sail from the Port of Tampa Bay, one of the busiest homeport cruise terminals in the southeastern United States. With Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and others all operating from Tampa’s Channelside Drive terminal, thousands of Tampa Bay-area residents are boarding vessels each week. When an accident happens at sea, many of those passengers return home unsure of their rights or where to turn for help.

That’s where Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. comes in. Our 19 attorneys are focused on maritime and cruise ship injury law, as we have been doing since 1971, recovering well over $500 million for clients nationwide. We are the only plaintiffs maritime firm in the United States named to “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report on a national level, and five of our attorneys have been recognized as “Best Lawyers”® in America. Two of our named partners have also been named “Lawyer of the Year”® in Admiralty and Maritime Law (Miami) by US News & World Report, and our attorneys include those board-certified in admiralty and maritime law. When you need a cruise ship injury lawyer in Tampa, our firm has the credentials and courtroom record to hold negligent cruise lines accountable.

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Common Types of Cruise Ship Accidents in Tampa

A cruise ship accident claim can include a number of common cruise ship injury cases. Below is just a sample of what a Tampa, Florida, cruise ship accident may include:

Slip and fall accidents on slick surfaces
Sexual assault
Overboard accidents
Cruise line medical malpractice
Flowrider Accidents
Shore Excursion Accidents

When you or a family member has suffered any of these accidents, among many others, as a cruise ship passenger, you may have grounds to recover compensation. When a cruise line fails to keep its passengers safe, reach out to a legal team like ours to recover fair compensation for the suffering you have experienced.

The steps you take immediately after a cruise ship accident can have a direct impact on your ability to recover compensation. Cruise lines operating out of Tampa are governed by federal maritime law, and they often include contractual provisions within the fine print in your cruise ticket that limit the time and venue for filing a claim. Acting quickly is critical. For example, most cruise cases for personal injury must be filed within one year from the date of the incident, and written notice of the claim must be provided to the cruise line within six-months. This is much shorter than the general three-year statute of limitations for maritime personal injuries provided by the Federal Statute.

Seek Medical Care Right Away

If you are injured aboard a vessel departing from Port Tampa Bay, getting medical attention should be your first priority. Not only does this protect your safety, but it also creates a documented record of your injuries. Delays in seeking treatment can be used against you later.

Report the Incident and Gather Evidence

File an incident report with the cruise line as soon as possible and request a copy for your records. Take photos and video of the scene where the accident occurred, and note the names of any crew members or witnesses involved. If your accident happened during a shore excursion near a Caribbean destination, document those conditions as well.

Once you have taken these initial steps, reaching out to an attorney is the logical next step. Our team can guide you through the process of filing a cruise ship injury claim from start to finish.

Why You Need an Experienced Maritime Lawyer When Suing the World’s Biggest Cruise Lines

Cruise lines homeporting in Tampa, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean, employ large legal teams whose sole focus is limiting their liability. Federal statutes, general maritime law, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, the Jones Act, and international treaties all shape how cruise ship injury claims are handled. Without an attorney who knows this legal framework, injured passengers and crewmembers frequently accept settlements offered by the cruise line that fall far short of the true value of their cases.

Our attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., include attorneys who are board-certified in maritime law and have represented injured passengers against every major cruise line sailing from Tampa. We know how to navigate the jurisdictional, venue, and statute of limitations provisions buried in the fine print of cruise tickets, and we are prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to secure fair compensation.

Compensation for Cruise Ship Injury Victims

When filing a lawsuit against a cruise ship, you need compensation for the suffering you have experienced. That includes current and future costs for your recovery, as well as the cost for the mental and emotional suffering you have experienced.

Your economic damages should cover any financial losses you have suffered. That may include medical bills, lost wages, and household accommodations, such as installing a wheelchair ramp on your home. All of these should be added up and included in your compensation.

However, even common injuries can be a stressful experience. In these cases, you may be due damages for your pain and suffering, or the non-economic damages for your recovery. That includes pain, anxiety, emotional distress, and more. Your attorney can help you calculate these losses.

Cruise Ship Accident FAQ

When you are hurt on a cruise ship and believe you have grounds for a claim, you may have many questions about who to sue, what steps need to be taken, and more. If you do not have answers, it is easy to make mistakes that can cost you your case.
The team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. are here to help. Reach out to learn more about your specific case from our team, and check out the frequently asked questions below while you wait to speak with us.

Does Tampa have its own cruise ship terminal?

Yes. Port Tampa Bay operates multiple cruise terminals along Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa. It is one of the busiest homeport cruise facilities on the Gulf Coast, with major lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Holland America sailing regularly from its berths.

Can I sue a cruise line that homeports in Tampa?

You may have grounds to file a lawsuit if a cruise line’s negligence contributed to your injury. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions for their passengers, and when they fail to do so, injured passengers may be able to recover compensation

Where must I file a cruise ship lawsuit if I departed from Tampa?

Most major cruise lines include forum selection clauses in their passenger contracts that require lawsuits to be filed in a specific federal court, often in Miami, even when the cruise ship departed and returned to Tampa. These clauses are generally enforceable, which is why it is important to have an experienced maritime attorney review your ticket before filing.

What law governs a cruise ship accident that happened at sea?

Federal maritime law and the general admiralty law govern most accidents that occur in navigable waters, including those involving vessels departing from Tampa. State personal injury law typically does not apply. This is a critical distinction, and it is one reason why working with a standard personal injury attorney, rather than an experienced maritime lawyer, can put your case at a disadvantage.

How long do I have to file a cruise ship injury claim in Tampa?

Most major cruise lines require passengers to provide written notice of a claim within six months of the incident and to file suit in the properly specified court, within one year. These deadlines are shorter than Florida’s standard personal injury statutes of limitations and are printed in the fine print of your cruise ticket. Missing these deadlines can bar your claim entirely.

How long do I have to file a cruise ship injury claim in Tampa?

What cruise lines sail from Tampa?

Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Margaritaville at Sea currently homeport vessels at Port Tampa Bay, with sailings primarily to the western and eastern Caribbean. Tampa boating accident cases involving smaller vessels in Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough River fall under a separate body of law.

Can I sue a cruise line if the accident happened on a shore excursion?

Potentially, yes. Cruise lines may be liable for injuries that occur on shore excursions they sell or promote, depending on the circumstances. The relationship between the cruise line and the excursion operator, and how the excursion was marketed to you, are key factors in determining liability.

Contact Our Tampa Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., Before the Clock Runs Out

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. has spent more than five decades holding major cruise lines accountable for passenger injuries. Our 19 attorneys bring a level of maritime law depth that general personal injury firms simply cannot match, and our record of recovering more than $500 million for clients reflects our track record in handling the most complex cases. We are named annually to “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report, and five of our attorneys appear in “Best Lawyers”® in America.

If you were injured aboard a vessel sailing from Tampa or have questions about a cruise ship accident claim, we are ready to help. Call 877-233-1238 or submit a free case evaluation to speak with a member of our team at no cost and with no obligation.

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