Miami Cruise Accident Lawyers

Miami is known as the Cruise Capital of the World, with more passengers embarking and disembarking here than anywhere else. Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian (NCL), Celebrity, and Disney operate dozens of ships out of PortMiami, carrying millions of passengers each year. With such high traffic, Miami is also the center of cruise accident litigation in the United States.

When a passenger is injured on a cruise ship, they may face complicated medical, legal, and jurisdictional issues. Slip and falls, foodborne illness, assaults, medical negligence, and shore excursion accidents are all common causes of lawsuits against cruise lines. Because most passenger ticket contracts require lawsuits to be filed in Florida, Miami federal court is the primary venue for cruise passenger injury cases nationwide.

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can assist passengers injured on cruises departing from Miami. If you or a loved one suffered harm while sailing, call 800-337-7755 for a free consultation. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

Common Types of Cruise Accidents in Miami

Slip and Fall Accidents

Wet pool decks, spilled drinks in buffets, polished stairways, and poorly maintained flooring frequently cause slip and fall accidents on cruises. These cases often involve broken bones, concussions, or spinal injuries.

Shore Excursion Accidents

Many Miami-based cruises stop in the Bahamas, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Excursions can lead to serious accidents, including bus crashes, boating accidents, snorkeling drownings, and ATV rollovers. Passengers may still sue in Florida if the excursion was sold or promoted by the cruise line.

Medical Negligence

Ship doctors and nurses are expected to handle emergencies, but allegations of misdiagnosis, delays in evacuation, or improper treatment have led to claims. Maritime law allows lawsuits against cruise lines for negligent medical care.

Assault and Negligent Security

Crew members or other passengers commit assaults on cruise ships each year. Survivors may bring claims for negligent hiring, supervision, or inadequate security.

Equipment and Cabin Hazards

Malfunctioning elevators, automatic sliding glass doors, collapsing bunk beds, and unsecured furniture have injured passengers. Cruise lines must maintain safe conditions onboard.

Why Miami Is the Hub for Cruise Lawsuits

Most cruise lines based in Miami include forum selection clauses in their contracts, requiring passengers to file lawsuits in:

• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Miami Division) – The primary venue for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Celebrity lawsuits.
• State courts in Miami-Dade County – Some claims, particularly smaller ones, may be filed in local courts.

This requirement applies regardless of where the accident happened or where the passenger lives.

Legal Deadlines for Cruise Injury Cases

Cruise line contracts typically include strict time limits:

• One year to sue – Most passengers have only 12 months from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit.
• Six months for notice – Written notice of the claim is often required within six months.

These deadlines are much shorter than typical personal injury statutes of limitation and make Miami litigation especially time-sensitive.

Compensation for Miami Cruise Accident Victims

Passengers injured on cruises departing from Miami may be able to pursue damages for:

• Medical care onboard and after disembarkation.
• Emergency evacuation and hospitalization.
• Rehabilitation and therapy.
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional trauma.
• Wrongful death damages for families.

Challenges in Miami Cruise Accident Claims

Cruise lines defend accident cases aggressively, often arguing:

• The condition was “open and obvious.”
• They had no notice of the hazard.
• The injury was caused by passenger negligence.
• The case was filed too late under contract deadlines.

Because the cruise line controls most of the evidence, including surveillance footage, crew reports, and maintenance records, early legal intervention may be critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Miami Cruise Accident Lawyers

If a cruise ship sailing from Miami injured you, you may want to explore your rights under maritime law. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 or use our live chat for a free consultation.