Many different types of serious incidents can occur on cruise ships. Improper maintenance of the vessel might lead to a railing suddenly failing and a passenger falling into the ocean. Inadequate cleaning could lead to preventable slip-and-falls where people break bones. There could also be crimes committed against cruise ship passengers that leave them injured and dealing with property losses.
Passengers on cruise ships have rights, including the potential right to take legal action against the company operating the ship. However, to hold the company accountable, they must first prove that an incident occurred and that the company is at least partially liable.
Passengers should seek to preserve any evidence they can with their phones, cameras and journals. They may also need to obtain security camera footage from the cruise ship to develop a legal case. Doing so can prove challenging.
Contracts limit footage requests
Cruise line passengers seeking justice after an incident or a crime often need to act relatively quickly. They may not realize that their contract with the cruise company may limit their right to take action. Often, the fine print in the contract technically signed at the time of acquiring the ticket may include limitations on requests for compensation.
The cruise ship company may demand alternative dispute resolutions such as mediation or arbitration before litigation occurs. The company may also limit how long passengers have to bring claims or request footage. Passengers need to evaluate their agreement with the company to effectively take action.
A lawyer’s help may be necessary
The first step toward securing camera footage and proving what occurred on a cruise ship is often to report the matter on the vessel. Passengers have to follow the appropriate reporting procedure. A signed report advising professionals on the vessel of what occurred can create a legal obligation to preserve camera footage from specific security cameras instead of deleting it or reusing the storage space on the next cruise.
In some cases, it may be necessary to have a lawyer file a formal request for the disclosure of security camera footage if the company does not provide it voluntarily. Written notice may be necessary in such cases to ensure the preservation of the footage. After receiving the footage, it may then be possible to prove that the incident that occurred was the result of negligence regarding vessel maintenance or security practices.
Passengers hurt onboard cruise ships often need insight and guidance as soon as possible after they sustain their injuries. Talking about a maritime injury with a lawyer can help cruise ship passengers understand their options and take the right actions to hold a negligent company accountable.