Why You Might Need a Maritime Attorney

Not every experience aboard a cruise ship ends with love and marriage the way the 1977 television show, "The Love Boat" depicted. This television show put the world of cruises and potential romance and love into every home once a week and the luxury liners have never been the same since. But "The Love Boat," didn't depict the whole cruise ship experience 100% accurately. For example the television show did not show the very real possibility for crime to occur on board or for the potential for injury that can occur when a ship hits a forty foot wave head on.

And it's important to notice that your cruise ship ticket does more than tell you when your cruise leaves and what room numbers you have been assigned. Your ticket also tells you some very important information regarding your legal rights when it comes to being victimized or injured on a cruise ship.

And since you won't fall into the jurisdiction of any city, town or state while you're at sea, anything that does occur at sea falls into the jurisdiction of maritime law. Knowing how your rights are affected by these laws can help you better understand not only your legal rights but how to act on those rights if you need to.

A maritime attorney is your best source of information and guidance if you feel you have a legal case against the cruise ship or someone aboard the ship. This is a special area of law which means you need an attorney who specializes in maritime law to be effective. Once you locate a maritime attorney your next step is to come prepared for your first consultation visit so your time is well spent.

Be prepared with the facts and as much proof of those facts as possible. For example if you are considering a personal injury lawsuit because you were hurt aboard the ship you will need to bring your medical records from your doctor and any records you may have from your visit with the ship's doctor as well.

The most common injuries on board a cruise ship usually result from events that are avoidable such as a wet deck leading to a slip and fall or even a physical or sexual assault from a cruise ship employee. Negligent conditions on board can led to more than just a wet deck and injury though- negligent conditions can also lead to food poisoning or the spread of a contagious illness.

If the event in question caused injury to more than just yourself it would be helpful to your maritime attorney to provide them with the facts including the dates and times and as much as you do know about whom else was affected.

Most of the time your cruise ship vacation will end with nothing worse than sunburn, but if your vacation ends poorly a maritime attorney can help you understand the laws of the sea and your rights.