Cruise vacations are supposed to be relaxing. But when an injury happens on board—or during an excursion—it can quickly turn into a legal nightmare.
If you’re from Texas and were injured on a cruise, you’re probably asking:
Can I sue the cruise line? And if so, how do I even start?
The short answer: yes, you may be able to sue. But cruise ship injury cases are not like normal personal injury claims. You’re dealing with:
- International waters
- Maritime law
- Complex contracts buried in your ticket
- Strict time limits
Let’s walk through your rights—and your next steps.
Common Cruise Ship Injuries That May Lead to a Lawsuit
Some cruise injuries are just bad luck. But many are preventable—and caused by negligence. The most common claims involve:
- Slip-and-falls on wet decks, buffet areas, or unmarked staircases
- Norovirus or food poisoning from unsanitary conditions
- Assaults or sexual assaults by crew or other passengers
- Excursion accidents run by third-party vendors but booked through the cruise line
- Poor medical care by onboard medical staff
- Falling overboard due to lack of railings or safety measures
If any of the above happened to you or a loved one, you may have a case against the cruise company.
Who Can Be Sued After a Cruise Injury?
It depends on the situation, but possible parties include:
- The cruise line itself (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian)
- A crew member who acted negligently or violently
- A third-party excursion company that caused the injury
- A medical provider on the ship who failed to give proper care
⚠️ Most cruise lines try to deflect blame or limit your legal rights in the fine print. That’s why fast legal action is critical.
Cruise Ship Injury Cases Are Governed by Maritime Law
Unlike car accidents or injuries on land, cruise ship cases fall under maritime law (a.k.a. admiralty law). This system has:
- Different rules for negligence and liability
- Limitations on certain types of damages
- Very short deadlines to file a lawsuit
Many cruise lines force you to file the case in federal court in Florida (often Miami), regardless of where you live or where the cruise departed.
How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Cruise Injury?
Most cruise tickets include a 1-year statute of limitations, meaning:
- You have only 12 months to file a lawsuit
- You often have to provide written notice within 6 months
- Missing these deadlines could bar your claim—even if it’s solid
This is much shorter than the 2-year window Texas allows for most personal injury cases. If you wait, you may lose your chance.
What If You Were Hurt During a Shore Excursion?
Many injuries happen off the ship during excursions like:
- ATV tours
- Ziplining
- Snorkeling or scuba trips
- Bus tours in foreign countries
If the cruise line booked or promoted the excursion, they may still be liable—even if a third-party vendor ran the activity.
But they’ll try to hide behind disclaimers and point the finger elsewhere. An experienced cruise injury attorney can investigate whether the cruise line:
- Knew about safety issues with the vendor
- Failed to properly vet the excursion
- Created an implied partnership that makes them liable
Can You Sue If You Got Sick on the Cruise?
Yes, if the illness was due to negligence. This could include:
- Unclean food preparation areas
- Sewage leaks or poor sanitation
- Failure to quarantine sick passengers
- Staff not following health protocols
Mass outbreaks of norovirus or food poisoning can sometimes lead to class action lawsuits. Even isolated cases may qualify for a personal injury claim.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover?
If you’ve been injured on a cruise, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills, including emergency care and long-term treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Additional expenses related to your injury, such as travel costs or therapy
However, the specific amount of compensation you could receive depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case.
What to Do Right After a Cruise Injury
If you’re injured, here’s what to do as soon as possible:
- Report the incident to ship staff and get a written incident report
- Take photos of the hazard or scene of the injury
- Get names of witnesses and crew involved
- Seek medical care—onboard first, then immediately once you reach land
- Avoid signing waivers or accepting credits or free cruises
- Review Your Cruise Ticket: It outlines your rights and deadlines for filing a claim—don’t skip the fine print.
- Contact a maritime attorney (not just a regular PI lawyer)
Do You Need a Texas Lawyer for a Cruise Ship Injury?
You need a lawyer who understands:
- Maritime law
- Venue issues (like Florida federal court)
- How cruise lines fight these cases
- What it takes to negotiate or sue successfully
At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, we’ve helped injured passengers from Texas take on big cruise companies. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and act fast—before your rights expire.
Bottom Line
Cruise ship injuries are more than just unlucky accidents. If your injury was preventable and caused by negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
But these cases move fast—and the cruise lines are ready with teams of lawyers. You should be too.
Call Attorney Omar today for a FREE consultation. We’ll fight to make sure you’re not left stranded.