Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

Q: If Royal Caribbean company wants me to sign paperwork after my injury, am I required to do so?

Do not sign any paperwork, with the Royal Caribbean crew, or anyone else, until you are working with an attorney and they are able to advise you on every step through this process. Oftentimes the ship will attempt to have the victim of the accident sign a liability waiver or a statement accepting responsibility for the accident in order to reduce their own liability, or in an attempt to eliminate their liability entirely. It is critical to understand that once an accident or injury occurs, the cruise line is no longer your friend. Instead, they will do whatever they can to protect the company, at your expense. When you have a lawyer who is able to help you through this process, you can either leave all of the communications up to them, or can discuss your choices and options when presented with things such as statements and waivers to ensure that you are taking the right steps to protect your own legal interests first and foremost.

Q: What should I do if I am injured on a Royal Caribbean cruise liner and must remain on the ship for a few days after the accident?

It can feel very claustrophobic and overwhelming if you are injured on a cruise ship and do not have a way to get off the ship for a few days until you make it to port. In these cases, it is important that you contact a Royal Caribbean injury law firm as soon as possible so that your attorney can provide you with remote guidance during this time. Be sure that you get medical attention for your injuries, but remember that the onboard physician and medical staff are all employees of Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners, meaning that, as with any other staff, they will be looking for ways to limit the liability that their employers are ultimately responsible for. Be careful of anything that you stay to medical staff, and avoid discussing how the accident happened or what you were doing to possibly have helped cause it.

Q: Should I accept the settlement offer from Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners?

As with all other steps in the injury claims process after being hurt on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you should not accept any offers or agree to anything until you are working with an attorney and have trusted legal representation. Typically, the initial offer that a company will offer you is far less than what you are rightfully entitled to, and is simply an attempt to take advantage of your stress about the situation in order to resolve the case quickly and inexpensively. When you have an attorney who will represent you through the process, they will be able to use this settlement offer as the starting point to ongoing negotiations that are meant to reach an agreement that fairly compensates you. Without negotiating a settlement, you will ultimately walk away with a paltry amount of money that may not even cover the immediate costs and damages that you suffer as a result of the negligent, reckless, or otherwise dangerous behavior on behalf of Royal Caribbean.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean?

Cruise lines have specific ticketing conditions that require injured passengers to take legal action within one year of the injury accident. By comparison, the Florida statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years. This shortened window makes it essential that you speak with a lawyer right away. The last thing you want is to lose your right to financial recovery from Royal Caribbean because of the fine print of the ticket contract. The one-year limitations period contained in most cruise tickets has consistently been enforced by courts. This brief period—significantly shorter than for most types of personal injury claims—can take people by surprise. More importantly, depending on the small print of your ticketing limitations, you may be required to submit written notice of your claim to Royal Caribbean within six months of the injury. Do not let this deter you. If you think that you have a case against Royal Caribbean, contact us today for a free consultation.

Q: Where Do I File My Royal Caribbean Lawsuit?

In addition to limiting the time you have to file a lawsuit, most cruise lines impose restrictions on where you must file. Royal Caribbean, for example, requires that you file suit in Florida’s Miami-Dade County, specifically in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Venue restrictions can cause further confusion for you, as you might not realize these limitations exist. Even experienced personal injury attorneys might not be aware of venue restrictions if they don’t have direct experience with cruise ship lawsuits. Fortunately, our headquarters is located in Miami, Florida, where the vast majority of cruise line cases must be filed. There are a few exceptions for cruise lines that require suit to be filed in California or Washington State, but we have attorneys licensed in both California and Washington precisely for that purpose! If you sustained injuries in a cruise ship accident, talking to an attorney with direct experience will help ensure your claim complies with all the necessary requirements.

Q: What Is the Average Royal Caribbean Lawsuit Settlement Value?

Every injury accident case is unique. The value of your claim will depend on the details of your case. You may be able to recover compensation for any required medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. To learn more about what your case value might be, contact one of our experienced cruise ship accident attorneys. We analyze the details of your case and provide you with the information you need to get started on the legal process. If you lost a loved one in a cruise ship-related accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost income and inheritance, loss of companionship, and other damages. Although a settlement or award won’t bring your loved one back, it will give you peace of mind for the future.

Q: Can I File a Royal Caribbean Class Action Lawsuit?

Historically, injury victims have joined together successfully to pursue class-action lawsuits against Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines. Today, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and how cruise lines handled coronavirus victims, a new round of legal action is expected and several such class action cases have been filed by our firm. COVID-related Royal Caribbean class action lawsuits may be an effective way for victims and their families to obtain justice and financial compensation for their injuries and other damages. If you or a family member was a passenger or crew member who suffered harm—or if you lost a loved one in a coronavirus-related cruise ship incident—we can help you. Contact Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A,. to learn more about becoming involved in a class-action lawsuit against Royal Caribbean.

We Are the Nation’s Leading Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers Handling Claims Against Royal Caribbean

The cruise ship accident lawyers of Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., represent both passengers and crew members who sustained injuries aboard Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines. With over 200 years of combined experience and dozens of precedent-setting cruise ship accident cases, we are arguably the most seasoned maritime lawyers in the world.

We have handled literally hundreds of cases against Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and recovered well over $450 million on behalf of our clients. Our founder, Charles Lipcon, was named “Lawyer of the Year” ® in Admiralty and Maritime by US News & World Report (Miami), and our firm has been named to “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report, for the past 7 consecutive years.

With 7 offices nationwide, and our global headquarters in Miami, Florida, we are able to serve passengers and crew members throughout the world. Contact us right away to connect with an aggressive maritime lawyer who is ready to fight for your rights no matter where in the world your case must be filed.

Navigation

Sexual Assault on Royal Caribbean Ships
Cases Results Against Royal Caribbean
Class Actions Against Royal Caribbean International
See What Our Clients Have To Say
How a Royal Caribbean Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Caribbean Lawsuits
Royal Caribbean Fleet

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. Knows How To Win Against Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., has successfully represented passengers and crew members injured aboard Royal Caribbean literally hundreds of times. Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., successfully represented more than 300 passengers in a class action lawsuit against the cruise liner based on the Anthem of the Seas knowingly and intentionally sailing into the path of a hurricane.

When you need a maritime attorney to take action against Royal Caribbean, give us a call.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Accident Attorney

Sexual Assault on Royal Caribbean

Sexual assault and rape on cruise ships are, unfortunately, common. Royal Caribbean is no exception. We often say there is a hidden epidemic of rapes and sexual assaults at sea.

From 2003 to 2005, there were 149 reportings of sexual assault on cruise ships. From 2007 to 2008, there were a staggering 260 offenses reported.

Both passengers and crew members can be victims of sexual assault. If you were assaulted on a cruise ship, you are not alone and you don’t have to stay silent. Contact our cruise ship rape and assault lawyers today.

Cases Results Against Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean has a long record of being named as a defendant in Royal Caribbean class actions and other types of civil actions based on cruise ship accidents. Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., has represented clients in hundreds of prior cases against Royal Caribbean.

Class Actions Against Royal Caribbean International

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. successfully represented more than 300 members of a class action arising from the February 2016 hurricane incident on the Anthem of the Seas. The Anthem of the Seas set sail despite the fact that several weather warnings had been issued prior to sailing — all of which noted the impending severe weather conditions. In fact, the National Weather Service’s own Ocean Prediction Center had sent out an alert four days prior to the ship setting sail, noting the probability of strong storms.

Still, instead of delaying or altering the route of the trip, the ship sailed directly into hurricane-force winds. In doing so, Royal Caribbean subjected all of the passengers onboard that vessel to hours of sheer terror and fear for their safety and the safety of their families.

Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. in Florida filed the proposed class-action suit on February 25, 2016, on behalf of New Jersey resident Frank DeLuca and all other similarly-situated passengers. In a news conference held that same day, Winkleman stated that the cruise line “knowingly and intentionally sailed into what was essentially a hurricane.”

In addition, we represented a class action of individuals stranded in Texas due to Royal Caribbean’s refusal to cancel the Liberty of the Seas in the days leading up to Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Instead of offering refunds or vouchers so that guests could take necessary safety measures, the company insisted that it would be departing on time, and that any guests who chose not to board would lose their entire financial investment in the trip. This decision by Royal Caribbean placed guests in the path of one of the worst storms in history, only to be trapped in Houston hotels for days, at their own expense. Cruise guests were surrounded by floodwaters, stuck in leaking hotels, and gravely concerned over food shortages.

Other notable cases against Royal Caribbean handled by our firm include the following:

Passenger Failure To Properly Diagnose Stroke – $1,500,000. Our client suffered a catastrophic stroke which was not properly diagnosed and thereby resulted in a significant worsening of the client’s condition.
Passenger Broken Hip Injury Settlement – $Confidential. Our client suffered a significant injury after slipping and falling on a wet deck surface of Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. Our lawsuit sought compensation due to the cruise line’s negligence, as it failed to provide safe conditions or alert passengers to the presence of hazardous conditions.
Crewmember Injury Arbitration Award – $970,230. Our client, a stateroom attendant aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, suffered injuries due to the cruise line’s failure to provide treatment for chronic kidney disease. Arbitration awarded the plaintiff $970,230 and ordered the cruise line to provide treatment, including dialysis.
Passenger Orthopedic Injury Settlement – $Confidential. While attempting to ride an onboard surfing attraction on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, our client was thrown into a wall and sustained serious injuries. Our lawsuit sought compensation due to the cruise line’s improper modifications of the attraction to fit on the ship, causing it to pose a danger to riders.
Crewmember Injury Settlement – $560,000. Our client, a waiter aboard Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, sustained a serious injury to his wrist. The cruise line refused to provide the victim treatment in Miami, instead of requiring him to seek treatment in the Philippines, where surgical errors left him with a disability and long-term pain.
Passenger Finger Amputation Injury Settlement – $Confidential. While aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, Liberty of the Seas, our client’s finger was severed in a mechanical door. The ship’s doctor reattached the finger rather than evacuating the victim for immediate treatment. The victim ultimately required amputation due to the ship’s doctor’s negligence.

Although these and other case results we have achieved may not reflect the outcome of your claim, we have the knowledge and experience to help you get the justice you deserve.

See What Our Clients Have To Say

Cruise Ship Passenger Injury

I was very appreciative of the help that the law firm was able to do for me and my family …

Cruise Ship Crew Member Injury

Hello, my name is Bojan and I am from Serbia and I am an injured crew member. I’ve never had …

How a Royal Caribbean Lawsuit Attorney Can Help

Our firm can provide representation for crew members; victims of discrimination by Royal Caribbean; victims injured by overboard accidents; shore excursion accidents; drowning and near-drowning incidents; injuries caused by ship amenities; and for all other passengers who wish to pursue claims. With an unparalleled track record of successful claims against Royal Caribbean, Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., can be trusted with your claim for compensation.

Some of the types of cruise ship passenger injury cases we handle include:

We also assist crewmembers and employees of cruise lines with seamen claims.

Unfortunately, as enjoyable as spending time on a cruise can be, a pleasant vacation can turn deadly in seconds. Too often, passengers sustain life-threatening or even fatal injuries simply because the cruise line failed to do enough to protect its passengers and crew.

Our Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Accident and Sexual Assault Lawyers Advocate for Client’s Rights in Miami and Other Locations Across the World

Royal Caribbean cruise lines are no stranger to litigation and injury complaints. Passengers have reported sexual assault, slip and fall accidents, illnesses, overboard accidents, drownings, and even family members being lost at sea. If you or someone you love is dealing with an incident aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, our team of cruise ship accident attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. can help you demand justice.

When we first opened our doors more than 50 years ago, we made it a priority to put our client’s needs first. As we grew, we strategically opened offices near and around Royal Caribbean cruise harbors so injury victims and their surviving family members would have easy access to a highly qualified Royal Caribbean cruise ship accident law firm. Our headquarters are based in Florida, but you can also meet with our team at one of our eight offices located across the country:

OUR FL HEADQUARTERS:
2800 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,
Suite 1480
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(888) 572-6185

FLORIDA:
9560 SW 107th Ave,
Suite 207
Miami, FL 33176
(888) 723-3048

GEORGIA:
Atlanta
(888) 912-2405

WASHINGTON:
1325 Fourth Ave.
Suite 1744
Seattle, WA 98101
(877) 657-9426

TEXAS:
5020 Montrose Boulevard
Suite 700
Houston, TX 77006
(877) 420-8245

COLORADO:
Vail
(888) 987-6409

HAWAII:
Maui
(877) 421-2980

Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Caribbean Lawsuits

The following are just a few of the many questions that we are happy to answer (or at least start the discussion about) during your free initial consultation, and work aggressively towards finding the full answer during our work together. Keep in mind that these questions and answers are meant to provide you with a general overview of your question, and not to be taken as legal advice. The sooner you contact our firm of Royal Caribbean lawsuit attorneys, the sooner we can get to work on your case.

If Royal Caribbean company wants me to sign paperwork after my injury, am I required to do so?

What should I do if I am injured on a Royal Caribbean cruise liner and must remain on the ship for a few days after the accident?

Should I accept the settlement offer from Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners?

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean?

Where Do I File My Royal Caribbean Lawsuit?

What Is the Average Royal Caribbean Lawsuit Settlement Value?

Can I File a Royal Caribbean Class Action Lawsuit?

Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean divides its ships into different classes, including the Quantum class, the Oasis Class, the Freedom Class, the Radiance Class, the Voyager Class, the Vision Class, and the Sovereign Class. Ships include:

Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Enchantment of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Legend of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Majesty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Splendor of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Vision of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas

Passengers aboard any and all ships face risks in the event of negligence on the part of Royal Caribbean. Sexual assault statistics for Royal Caribbean show one of the many grave dangers which could affect both passengers and crew members. Overboard accidents, passenger disappearance, shore excursion injuries, and a variety of other possible harms could all result in liability for Royal Caribbean International if it can be demonstrated the cruise company failed to exercise reasonable care.

Our Award Winning Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Will Advocate for Maximum Compensation and Demand Negligent Cruise Lines Be Brought to Justice

Time is of the essence if you sustained injuries related to Royal Caribbean. If you don’t act within the allotted time, you could lose your right to recover compensation. Before you give a statement, sign any documents, or agree to any proposed settlement, contact Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., today.

When Royal Caribbean is contacted by Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. about your injury case, they know that they are facing a team voted in “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report since 2016, and 4 individual attorneys named to “Best Lawyers”® in Admiralty and Maritime (Miami) by US News & World Report. We have been featured hundreds of times on national TV with over $450 million recovered for our clients. With over 200 years of combined experience, our firm has earned these accolades by being the best at what we do — and we are ready to fight for your rights.

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation for anyone who was injured aboard a cruise ship. Contact us online or call 888-311-9929 to speak to one of our experienced attorneys about Royal Caribbean lawsuits.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Accident Lawyer