Cruises, especially those focused on children, should be fun and safe excursions. When a child suffers an injury or worse, dies, it is devastating for the family. You may wonder if you have to file a lawsuit within a certain time.
Federal law requires that you file within one year of an accident or fatality. Also, you must give the cruise ship notice that you intend to file suit. The deadline by which you must do this depends on the cruise line and the contract you signed. This is usually less than one year and could be as little as six months.
Cruise ships must provide a safe passage
Cruise lines must act in a prudent way and provide reasonable care to their passengers. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and a child dies. If the cruise ship acts in a negligent way, an injured passenger or the family of an injured person can file a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations is shorter for cruise ship injuries
The statute of limitations, or time limit, for cruise ships, is one year, much shorter than in other cases. When you buy a cruise ship ticket, you sign a contract. This contract requires you to give a cruise ship notice before filing a lawsuit. You may have to give that notice within six months of an injury.
You and your family have a right to protection from injuries and illnesses. If your child gets injured on a cruise ship and you need compensation, read your contract with care. You may need to file a lawsuit right away.
