Florida Cruise Injury Lawyers

Florida is home to the busiest cruise ports in the world, with millions of passengers boarding ships each year from Miami, Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Port Canaveral, and Tampa. While most vacations go smoothly, thousands of passengers suffer injuries or illnesses on cruises every year. Slip and falls, food poisoning, shore excursion accidents, medical negligence, and even serious assaults have all led to lawsuits against cruise lines. Our Florida cruise injury lawyers have handled hundreds of cruise passenger injury claims.

If a cruise ship departing from Florida injured you, state and federal law may protect your rights. Because many cruise lines require passengers to file lawsuits in Florida, even when they live elsewhere, Florida has become a central hub for cruise passenger injury claims.

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can handle cruise injury cases throughout Florida. If you were hurt on a cruise, call 800-337-7755 for a free consultation. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

Why Cruise Injuries Are Common

Cruise ships are essentially floating cities. With thousands of passengers, staff, and crew operating in confined spaces, accidents and incidents can happen in many ways:

• Slip and falls on wet decks, stairwells, or buffet areas.
• Trip hazards from poorly maintained flooring or carpeting.
• Foodborne illnesses and outbreaks of norovirus.
• Shore excursion accidents in ports of call, often involving buses, boats, or tour operators.
• Medical negligence in the ship’s infirmary.
• Sexual assaults by crew members or other passengers.
• Falling objects from overhead storage or improperly secured equipment.
• Malfunctioning doors and elevators, including sliding glass doors that close unexpectedly.

Florida Ports and Cruise Passenger Lawsuits

Florida hosts multiple major cruise ports. Each has unique traffic and legal implications:

• PortMiami – Known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” Miami is the most common filing location for cruise injury lawsuits.
• Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) – A major hub for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships.
• Port Canaveral (Orlando area) – Popular for Disney Cruise Line departures.
• Port of Tampa – Serves many Carnival and Norwegian departures.

Most cruise lines include a forum selection clause in their passenger contracts requiring lawsuits to be filed in Florida courts, regardless of where the passenger lives.

Cruise Lines Frequently Sued in Florida

Several cruise companies require passengers to bring injury lawsuits in Florida. These include:

• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line

Common Cruise Passenger Claims

Slip and Fall Accidents

Wet decks, buffet spills, and poorly lit stairwells often lead to passenger injuries, and as a result, cruise lines have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions.

Shore Excursion Injuries

Although excursions are often run by third parties, cruise lines may still be liable if they failed to properly vet operators or warn passengers of dangers.

Cruise Medical Negligence

Cruise ship doctors and nurses sometimes misdiagnose conditions or delay treatment, and as a result, passenger injuries can worsen. In turn, these cases often involve federal maritime law.

Assaults and Negligent Security

Crew assaults and passenger-on-passenger attacks remain a serious issue, and as a result, cruise lines may face scrutiny over safety practices. In these situations, claims may be based on negligent hiring, training, or supervision.

Defective Conditions Onboard

Cases include glass door injuries, bunk bed falls, and malfunctioning elevators.

Where Cruise Passenger Cases Are Filed

Many cruise lines require cases to be filed in federal court in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, such as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Others may allow cases in state court, depending on the ticket contract.

Passengers should review the fine print of their cruise contract, as it often limits the time to sue to just one year and, in addition, requires written notice within a few months of the incident.

Compensation in Cruise Injury Cases

Passengers injured on cruises may seek compensation for:

• Emergency medical treatment onboard and in port.
• Ongoing medical care after returning home.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Funeral and wrongful death damages for families.

Why Florida Cruise Lawyers Often Handle Cruise Cases

Even if you live in another state, cruise injury claims are frequently filed in Florida because of forum selection clauses. A Florida maritime lawyer familiar with federal maritime law may be better positioned to navigate:

• Filing deadlines (often just one year).
• Federal court procedures in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
• Cruise line defenses, including waivers and ticket contract terms.
• Gathering evidence from witnesses and crew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sue in Florida if I was injured on a cruise?
Most likely, yes. Cruise contracts often require lawsuits to be filed in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Check your contract to be sure.

What if my injury happened on a shore excursion in another country?
You may still be able to bring a claim in Florida if the excursion was arranged by the cruise line.

Can I sue if the ship’s doctor made a mistake?
Yes. Medical negligence claims are often recognized under maritime law.

How long do I have to sue a cruise line?
Most passenger contracts require lawsuits within one year of the injury.

Contact Florida Cruise Injury Lawyers

If you were injured on a cruise departing from Florida, you may have rights under federal maritime law and Florida law. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 or use our live chat for a free consultation.