Helping Passengers Hold Cruise Lines Accountable for Unsafe Conditions
New Orleans is a major departure point for Gulf cruises, and thousands of passengers board ships here every year, expecting a relaxing trip. Most of the time, that is exactly what they get. But cruise ships are floating cities with pools, kitchens, gyms, elevators, and tender boats. When a ship fails to maintain safe conditions or a crew member acts carelessly, the results can range from a broken bone to a life-altering injury. Frischhertz & Impastato represents passengers who were injured while cruising out of New Orleans or elsewhere in the Gulf.
Don’t let a cruise line’s ticket contract work against you. Turn to a legal team with over 85 years’ combined experience and over $700 million recovered: (504) 276-6962.
Cruise line liability is governed by a mix of federal maritime law and the terms buried in the passenger ticket contract, which most travelers never read closely. Those contracts often try to shorten the time a passenger has to give notice of a claim or to file suit, sometimes giving passengers as little as six months for notice and one year for filing. They frequently specify that any lawsuit must be filed in a particular federal court, regardless of where the passenger lives or boarded the ship. Missing one of these contractual deadlines can jeopardize an otherwise valid claim.
Because of this, cruise ship injury cases require prompt action. We move quickly to preserve evidence, including incident reports, security footage, and maintenance records, all of which cruise lines may not be obligated to keep indefinitely. We also examine whether the cruise line had prior notice of the hazardous condition that caused the injury, since maritime law generally requires a passenger to show that the cruise line knew or should have known about the danger.
Common Causes of Cruise Passenger Injuries
Slip and fall accidents on wet pool decks or slick dining room floors are among the most frequently reported cruise injuries, but they are far from the only ones.
Other accidents and injuries that lead to claims include:
Assaults by crew members or other passengers
Elevator and escalator malfunctions
Rock climbing walls, waterslides, or other onboard recreational activities
Injuries during shore excursions arranged or endorsed by the cruise
Illness outbreaks tied to inadequate sanitation in food service areas
Injuries from inadequately secured furniture or equipment during rough seas
Building a Case Against a Cruise Line in New Orleans
Cruise operators have substantial legal departments and insurance backing, and the investigate incidents from the moment they are reported. Passengers who speak with claims representatives without legal guidance can sometimes give statements that are later used to minimize the value of their injury claim. Our New Orleans cruise ship injury attorneys can step in to communicate with the cruise line directly, gather independent evidence, and consult with medical and maritime safety professionals when the circumstances call for it.
Our Approach & Experience
Our team has more than 85 years of combined experience handling maritime and personal injury matters, and we have recovered over $700 million for injured clients. Several of our attorneys hold recognitions from Super Lawyers, Lead Counsel, and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law, so our entire team is focused on helping our clients pursue justice for their injuries and compensation for their futures. We are well-prepared to handle the specific procedural hurdles that come with cruise ship claims.
Our team of eight attorneys prepares every case as though it is headed to court, working collaboratively so that everyone’s eyes are on your case, and because cruise lines and their insurers take litigation-ready firms more seriously than those looking to settle fast. Don’t wait to speak to our team about how we can help you with your case: cruise ticket contracts can shorten your filing window!
Call (504) 276-6962 for a free consultation as soon as possible. Clients never pay us out of pocket to find out where they stand, and they don’t pay us until we win their case.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
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