Joe Osborne & Greg Francis, Personal Injury Lawyers & Founders of Osborne & Francis

Boating & Cruise Ship Accident Litigation

Justice for Passengers Injured in Cruise Ship Accidents

Our accident lawyers understand the complexities of a commercial boat or cruise ship injury claim

Recreational boating is a popular lifestyle activity in Florida. And the U.S. cruise ship industry is big business, generating nearly $38 billion in revenue annually, while enticing more than 20 million people to jump on board each year. Unfortunately, with these vast numbers, accidents and injuries are inevitable. Florida leads the country in boating accidents, and cruise ship injuries, accidents and illnesses occur with alarming frequency. Victims of cruise ship accidents must carefully select an attorney with the knowledge and resources necessary to litigate these complex claims. Familiarity with maritime and admiralty law is essential, as well as an understanding of how federal and Florida state law applies to these time-sensitive cases. Accident attorneys from Osborne & Francis Law Firm, PLLC possess the experience and skill to aggressively pursue a boating or cruise ship injury claim.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

Who is responsible for boating and cruise ship accident injuries?

Cruise ships and boat operators owe passengers a special duty of care as common carriers. They must exercise more than reasonable care to ensure your safety. If you are harmed while on their vessels, or participating in activities they have approved or sponsored, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Responsible parties include some of the following entities:

  • Boat or cruise ship owner
  • Cruise line or company operating the trip
  • Charter company
  • Ticketing agency
  • Liable third-parties

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

do you still have questions?

CONTACT US TODAY

Common boating and cruise ship accidents and causes

Cruise ships harbor a dizzying array of potential hazards. Common risks include:

  • Slip/Trip and Falls – Due to ship maneuvers, slippery surfaces, uneven decks, and other unsafe conditions.
  • Swimming pool accidents, water slide mishaps or wave pool injuries – Accidents caused by inadequate supervision, negligent design or overly slick surfaces and ladders.
  • Illnesses – Arise from contaminated food, foodborne pathogens or unsanitary conditions.
  • Injuries sustained during off-ship cruise line approved trips – Including sailing, diving, scuba diving, parasailing, boating injuries and other accidents.
  • Injuries sustained onboard during cruise ship recreational activities – Can be serious, including the over-service of alcohol leading to accidents due to inebriated crew or passengers.
  • Dock accidents and tender boat accidents – Ferrying passengers to and from the ship and port of call can result in accidents.
  • Navigational errors – Resulting in collisions, capsizing and other shipwrecks.
  • Physical assault/sexual assault – This can occur with passengers or crew members due to poor lighting, lax security or unauthorized cabin access.
  • Medical negligence/medical malpractice
  • Falling overboard
  • Onboard fires and catastrophic events
  • Cruise ship passenger disappearance

Though not quite as far reaching in their potential for injury, boating accidents are extremely common. The U.S. Coast Guard reported 610 deaths and 2,678 injuries resulting from 4,064 accidents in 2014. Some common accidents and causes included the following:

  • Boat Collisions
  • Swamping/Flooding
  • Grounding
  • Water Ski accident
  • Drowning
  • Insufficient safety training
  • Boat operator negligence, including inexperience, inattention, inebriation, and improper lookout
  • Speeding
  • Machine Failure
  • Violation of Navigation rules
  • Hazardous Water/Weather
  • Strong waves/wake

T. Andrews

5 star icon

“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

Erica F.

5 star icon

"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

C. Smith

5 star icon

“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

E. Holland

5 star icon

Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

Alfred

5 star icon

Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

J. Davis

5 star icon

“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

Please fill out the form below for your

FREE CONSULTATION

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Trust our skilled injury lawyers to aggressively pursue your boating or cruise ship accident claim

At Osborne & Francis Law Firm, PLLC,  injury lawyers carefully review every aspect of your cruise ship injury case to ensure all potential negligent parties are identified and every legal avenue is explored. We offer staunch representation to passengers and crew members who have suffered injury from a commercial boat or cruise ship incident. Please call (561) 293-2600, or contact us online to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions