Cruisegoers and other ship passengers often face significant risk of injury due to slippery ship decks and choppy waters. A significant number of these passenger injuries are caused by slip/trip-and fall accidents. These accidents are often caused by:
- Wet/slippery decks and docks.
- Improperly secured or stowed equipment.
- Uneven flooring.
- Poor lighting in stairwells.
- Improperly placed objects/clutter.
- Inadequate training.
- Lack of posted warning signs.
Slip-and-fall injuries can range from minor bruises to severe head and neck trauma. Accident victims with more serious injuries may have to miss weeks of work and may never be able to return to the same job even after significant time has passed.
Establishing a claim for negligence against a shipowner
Shipowners (e.g., cruise lines) are legally required to adhere to regulations to ensure that all passengers are safe while aboard their vessels and while on their premises. While the nature of the water travel is inherently dangerous to some degree, shipowner negligence can make accidents even more likely to occur.
To prove that the shipowner was liable for your injuries, you must show that the shipowner was negligent. In other words, you will need to show that the shipowner failed to take reasonable steps to protect passengers on the vessel and that this failure caused the passenger to fall. You may present the following evidence to prove your case:
- Photos and videos of the scene.
- Witness testimony.
- Reports of the incident.
- Expert testimony.
- Medical records.
Victims of slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents have two years in the state of California to file their maritime personal injury claim for damages. An attorney specializing in maritime accidents can help present the evidence needed to prove your case.
