Injuries on cruise ships are more common than many passengers realize. From slippery decks to negligent medical care and onboard assaults, cruise lines have a legal responsibility to keep guests safe. If you've been injured on a cruise departing from or arriving in Miami, you may be entitled to compensation.
A frequent question we hear is: “What is the average settlement for a cruise ship injury case in Miami?” While the value of a case can vary, there are ways to estimate potential compensation based on the type of injury, the cruise line’s conduct, and how your case is handled.
If you were hurt on a cruise ship, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin offers free consultations, and you won’t pay any fees or costs unless we win or settle your case. Call 800-337-7755 or visit www.victimaid.com to speak with a Miami cruise ship lawyer today.
Common Cruise Ship Injury Claims
Miami is home to some of the world’s largest cruise ports, including PortMiami — where Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and others operate major fleets. These ships are essentially floating cities, and when safety fails, passengers can suffer serious harm.
Some of the most common claims we handle include:
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Slip and fall injuries on wet decks, buffet areas, or gangways
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Food poisoning or unsanitary conditions
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Injuries from malfunctioning equipment (e.g., doors, gym machines, elevators)
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Assault or sexual assault by crew or other passengers
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Medical negligence in the ship’s infirmary
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Excursion accidents during off-ship tours
If you’ve experienced any of these, a Miami cruise ship injury lawyer may be able to help you pursue a claim.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Cruise Ship Injury Case?
Cruise ship injury settlements often range from $15,000 to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the severity of injuries and liability involved. Catastrophic injuries can exceed $1 million or more.
Factors That Affect the Value of a Cruise Injury Case:
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Nature and severity of the injury – Fractures, burns, concussions, and spinal injuries typically result in higher payouts.
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Medical treatment required – Emergency surgery, hospitalization, or long-term rehabilitation may raise your claim’s value.
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Lost income – If your injury affected your ability to work, this may be a major part of your damages.
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Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life may all be considered.
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Liability and negligence – If the cruise line had prior notice of the hazard and failed to fix it, it may strengthen your claim.
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Evidence preservation – Cruise ships operate under strict timelines; collecting evidence early often leads to better results.
How Cruise Lines Defend Against Injury Claims
Cruise companies are known for vigorously defending injury cases. They may argue:
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You didn’t report the injury in time
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You were at fault for the incident
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The injury happened off the ship and is not their responsibility
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You didn’t comply with the terms of your ticket
This is why having an attorney with experience handling cruise injury claims out of Miami is critical.
You May Be Required to File in Federal Court in Miami
Many cruise line tickets — including those for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL — require lawsuits to be filed in federal court in Miami, regardless of where you live or where the ship was at the time of the incident.
This means:
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You may need a lawyer admitted in the Southern District of Florida
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Filing in the wrong venue could get your case dismissed
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Deadlines can be shorter than normal personal injury cases (often 1 year)
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin is based in Florida and can help you understand your legal options.
Recent Examples of Cruise Ship Lawsuits
Here are examples of real or typical cruise-related cases:
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A woman injured when a sliding glass door closed on her due to sensor failure
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A child hurt when falling out of a top bunk bed without a proper safety rail
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A man who suffered burns from scalding water in a spa that lacked warning signs
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A passenger assaulted by a crew member and suffered physical injury
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A traveler injured in a slip and fall while getting food in the buffet area
These are just a few of the situations where compensation may be available.
How Long Do You Have to File a Cruise Injury Claim?
Many cruise contracts limit your time to file a claim to just one year from the date of injury, and require written notice of your intent to sue within 6 months.
Don’t wait — the clock starts ticking the day the injury occurs. Cruise lines also operate under maritime law, which has unique rules compared to land-based injury cases.
Why Hire a Miami Cruise Ship Lawyer?
Cruise injury claims involve a mix of maritime law, federal jurisdiction, and corporate defense tactics. An experienced Miami cruise ship lawyer can help:
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Preserve ship surveillance footage and onboard reports
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Investigate negligence and gather witness statements
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File suit in the proper court
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Handle negotiations with cruise line attorneys
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Maximize the value of your settlement
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin has handled many cruise ship injury cases and understands the complexity of these claims.
Contact a Miami Cruise Injury Lawyer for Help
If you or a loved one were injured on a cruise that left from or returned to Miami, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you slipped on a wet deck, suffered food poisoning, or experienced a more serious event, you don’t have to face the cruise line alone.
We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay any fees or costs unless we win or settle your case. Call us at 800-337-7755, use our live chat, or visit www.victimaid.com to get the help you deserve today.