Miami Carnival Cruise Injury Attorney

A Carnival cruise ship may be the last place you expect to suffer a personal injury, but cruise ships contain many opportunities for accidents. Slippery decks, poorly lit stairwells, unsafe food storage protocols, negligent security, dangerous onboard activities, ill-trained crewmembers, and careless lifeguards are just some of the dangers that can cause passenger injuries.

If you or a loved one sustained an injury onboard a Carnival cruise ship, contact us by calling (305) 638-4143.

Types of Injuries Commonly Seen on Carnival Cruise Ships

Injuries sustained aboard Carnival ships can range from minor to catastrophic, depending on the nature of the incident. Some of the most frequently reported injuries include:

• Slip and falls on wet or slippery decks
• Broken bones and fractures from falls or onboard activities
• Head and traumatic brain injuries
• Food poisoning and gastrointestinal illnesses
• Burns from kitchen or electrical malfunctions
• Drowning or near-drowning in poorly supervised pools
• Assault-related injuries due to negligent security

Regardless of the type of injury, the key to a successful claim is proving that Carnival or its employees acted negligently or failed to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety.

Common Causes of Cruise Ship Accidents in Miami

Carnival cruise ship accidents can happen when the cruise company or one of its employees breaches protocol or becomes negligent in passenger safety.

Common ways accidents may occurs are:

• Failing to properly inspect and maintain the ship.
• Improper personnel training.
• Negligent swimming pool or onboard activity supervision.
• Poor cruise ship operation.
• Unsanitary premises.
• Unsafely stored food are all common causes of passenger accidents and injuries.

Carnival Incidents

Since 1999, Carnival has been involved in several incidents which resulted in significant risk or injury to passengers.

One of the most significant litigations which reached media attention happened with 3,143 passengers on board, where an engine room fire occurred. The ship ended up adrift in the Gulf of Mexico for four days. During this time, there were unsanitary and uncomfortable conditions involving a raw sewage backup and an air conditioning failure. It was later found that there were multiple generator maintenance problems which were well known by Carnival before the trip.

Understanding the Cruise Ticket Contract and Its Impact on Your Case

When you purchase a Carnival cruise ticket, you are agreeing to a contract filled with legal terms and conditions—many of which are designed to protect the cruise line from liability. These contracts often include shortened deadlines for filing claims, mandatory notice requirements, forum selection clauses (requiring lawsuits to be filed in a specific court, often in Miami), and limitations on certain types of damages.

Most passengers are unaware of these contract provisions until it’s too late. But they can significantly impact your legal rights. For example, Carnival typically requires passengers to file a written notice of injury within 180 days and file suit within one year—or you lose your right to sue. A knowledgeable maritime attorney can help you interpret the fine print of your cruise contract and take timely legal action.

What to Do After a Cruise Ship Accident

If you wish to obtain financial compensation for your cruise ship injuries, you must take the proper steps after your accident, such as:

• Tell someone about your accident and request immediate medical care from the ship’s medic.
• If you can, return to the scene of your accident and take photographs of important details.
• If a staircase railing was loose and caused you to fall down the stairs, for example, take a photo of the faulty railing. Photograph your injuries as well.

Carnival cruise line will most likely have you fill out a Guest Injury Statement form. Be careful when completing this form – or opt not to complete it at all. Carnival’s legal counsel has designed the form, and its questions will most likely try to solicit answers that may hurt your injury case against the company. Contact an attorney as soon as you can to discuss your next steps. You have one year to file most cruise ship accident claims.

Who Is Liable?

The cruise line on which the accident occurred will most likely be liable for your injuries if it or one of its employees reasonably should have done something more to prevent the incident. It is Carnival’s legal duty to take steps to protect passengers and crewmembers from preventable injuries and illnesses.

Carnival’s liability to injured passengers may result in a settlement that pays for victims’:

• medical bills
• lost income
• permanent disabilities
• property damage
• pain and suffering

A conversation with an attorney can help you understand your rights to a lawsuit against Carnival or another party.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

Hiring a lawyer can change the outcome of your claim against Carnival. Instead of taking the cruise line’s word that it’s not liable for your injuries, you can learn the truth – that you can file a claim against the company if its negligence contributed to your accident. An attorney with experience handling cruise ship accident claims can break down your rights according to maritime law, and help you pursue financial recovery through all available outlets. A lawyer can give you peace of mind for the duration of your case.

How We Investigate Carnival Cruise Injury Claims

Successfully pursuing a case against Carnival requires more than just proving you were hurt—it requires a deep investigation and strategic legal approach. At our firm, we take the following steps to build strong cases for our clients:

• Securing surveillance footage from the ship (before it is deleted or lost)
• Obtaining medical records from the ship’s infirmary and any offboard treatment
• Identifying and contacting witnesses who may have seen the accident
• Requesting maintenance logs, safety audits, and prior complaint records
• Consulting experts in maritime safety, ship design, and medicine

Carnival has extensive legal resources and defense teams working to minimize payouts. Our firm is committed to leveling the playing field by aggressively gathering evidence and using every legal tool at our disposal to fight for maximum compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file my lawsuit in Miami, even if I live elsewhere?

Yes. Carnival’s passenger ticket contract includes a forum selection clause requiring that lawsuits be filed in federal court in Miami, Florida, regardless of where the injury occurred or where you live. Working with a Miami-based cruise injury attorney gives you a strategic advantage in navigating this process.

What kind of compensation can I recover from Carnival?

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (onboard and after the cruise)
• Future medical care
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Property damage

Each case is different, and your attorney will help you assess your total damages.

What if I already filled out a Guest Injury Statement form on the ship?

Carnival often asks injured passengers to complete a Guest Injury Statement, which may contain language that hurts your claim. Even if you’ve filled it out, you can still pursue a claim—but it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to limit any negative impact and avoid further missteps.

What if I didn’t see a doctor until after I left the ship?

You can still file a claim. While it’s helpful to seek immediate treatment from the ship’s medical team, many passengers don’t realize the full extent of their injuries until after disembarking. Getting care at home and documenting your symptoms and treatment timeline will still support your case.

Do I need a lawyer who specifically handles cruise ship injury cases?

Yes. Cruise ship injury cases fall under maritime law, which differs significantly from general personal injury law. A lawyer experienced in cruise claims will understand the complex legal framework, how to investigate the case, and how to litigate against large cruise lines like Carnival in federal court.

How much does it cost to hire your firm for a Carnival injury case?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. We also cover the costs of investigating and preparing your case. If there’s no recovery, you owe us nothing.

Contact Us For a Free Consultation

After any type of accident or injury on board one of Carnival’s cruise ships, contact us. We want to discuss your case in detail during a free, no-obligation consultation in Miami.

Request your meeting today at (305) 638-4143.