Cruise Line & Boat Accident Attorney
Cruise Line Accidents
The Daytona Beach area serves as a hotspot for many recreational day cruises as well as extended international cruises. Additionally, it is a major connecting port for passengers traveling to South Florida destinations or those with connections to Mexican or Caribbean cruise lines, including world-famous brands like Princess, Carnival, and Disney.
From our office in Ormond Beach, Bonnie A. Berns, P.A. represents individuals and families in Florida and throughout the nation who have suffered injuries, food poisoning, or other accidents while cruising the Caribbean and Gulf coasts. Filing claims against cruise lines requires time, dedication, and extreme attention to detail—elements our firm provides.
Determining Liability
Although it’s unlikely that a cruise line would be held liable for a passenger’s injury unless the negligence was directly caused by the cruise line or its employees, most injury lawsuits involve situations such as:
- Slips and trips due to poorly maintained public areas
- Improper signage and lighting
- Falls from deck to deck or overboard
- Food poisoning
- Negligent security on the ship
Tickets Often Serve as Contracts
Accident claims involving cruise lines are typically subject to maritime laws rather than state-level personal injury laws. In addition, they often involve elements of contract law.
When a ticket is purchased for a cruise, it outlines the extent of the cruise line’s liability for a passenger’s safety. Essentially, the ticket acts as an agreement. So, when someone is injured on a cruise, lawyers focus on the terms and conditions of that agreement.
Cruise Ship Accident Claims Have Strict Deadlines
Tickets often limit the time within which an injured passenger can file a lawsuit. A cruise ship ticket might limit that time to one year, and if no notice of claim is served, a lawsuit could fail. Additionally, the ticket might require that the lawsuit be filed in the state or country of departure.
This is where our firm can help. We regularly assist Florida residents and those from other states who departed from a Florida port and suffered an injury on a cruise ship. We can serve as your representative in the local court systems. Moreover, we regularly make use of technological tools to organize your case from afar. Our team will keep you updated on the status of your case so you always know what we are doing on your behalf.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Case With An Experienced Attorney
With over 30 years of litigation experience, we’re skilled at representing injured passengers suffering from significant or catastrophic injuries on cruise ships. If you think you were injured as a result of cruise ship negligence, contact us for a free personalized one-on-one consultation and case evaluation at 386-672-4040. With our 24-hour answering service, your calls are taken at any time.
Handling Boat Accidents Along Florida’s Coasts
With nearly 1,200 miles of coastline and 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways, Florida is a perfect location for recreational boating and fishing. Couple that much water and about 900,000 registered watercraft, and boating accidents are inevitable. According to the most recent statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, more than 634 reported boating accidents happened in the state in 2015, resulting in 365 injuries and 73 fatalities.
Anybody operating a watercraft has a duty to pilot it in a safe and careful manner, using due care and caution for the safety of others. If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident, Bonnie A. Berns, P.A., will advocate on your behalf. Our firm brings over 30 years of personalized service to your case.
Types Of Boating Accidents
Collisions with other watercraft, such as sailboats, powerboats, Jet Skis, yachts, tour boats, or cruise ships, are the leading cause of boating injuries and fatalities. In addition to collisions, other common causes include:
- Water skiing accidents
- Grounding
- Crashes involving underwater objects
- Boats overturning
- Falling overboard
- Crashing into fixed objects
Injuries sustained in boating accidents can range from relatively minor, like whiplash or fractures, to catastrophic, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. It’s important to note that you can hold the operator liable for damages, including medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability or disfigurement.
While most cases ultimately settle, lawyer Bonnie A. Berns has extensive trial experience. Therefore, she and our skilled team of legal professionals are prepared to take your case before a judge and jury if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached.
Why Clients Work With Our Firm
Our clients receive personalized service through one-on-one consultations. When you retain us, responsibilities are not passed off to another attorney or paralegal. Moreover, with a 24-hour answering service, we are both accessible and responsive. Your calls will be answered at any hour of the day, ensuring you always have the support you need.
If you or somebody close to you has been specifically injured in a boating or other type of accident, contact our office in Ormond Beach, Florida. Just phone 386-672-4040 or use our online contact form to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation. Home or hospital visits are not a problem, and we also offer Spanish translation services.
