Nationally Recognized Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys
The cruise ship attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP (formerly Anderson Carey Williams & Neidzwski) have decades of experience litigating personal injury and death claims after cruise accidents and injuries. When you work with us, you can expect competent-but-compassionate care from top-rated attorneys focused solely on injury cases involving cruise ships, boats, and commercial vessels.
Call Us at 1-800-BOATLAW (1-800-262-8529) for a free case review. You can also contact us online and a member of our legal team will be in touch shortly.
Notable Offshore Injury Case Results
We are known for the compassionate care we give our clients and our long history of successful offshore injury cases:
| Compensation Awarded | Description |
| $10,000,000 |
Judgment for a harbor worker
|
| $8,000,000 |
Settlement for wrongful death
|
| $3,700,000 |
Judgment against the U.S.
|
| $2,400,000 |
For a mate injured aboard a tanker
|
| $1,900,000 | For leg injuries |
| $1,750,000 | For a deckhand |
| $1,500,000 |
For a partial hand amputation
|
| $1,400,000 |
For a fish processor with chronic pain
|
| $1,300,000 | For PTSD |
| $1,250,000 |
For a back injury
|
| $1,200,000 | For a fall injury |
| $1,100,000 |
For repetitive use injuries
|
| $995,000 |
Settlement for a foot injury
|
| $950,000 |
Settlement for facial injuries
|
| $750,000 |
Policy limit settlement for neck injuries
|
| $600,000 |
For non-surgical back injury case
|
See More Recent Case Results ->
How Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuits Work
How to File a Lawsuit Against a Cruise Line
- Consult a cruise ship attorney to learn which claims you may qualify for
- Your attorney will file your case for you and walk you through each step
- How long this process takes will vary, but in our experience, most cruise ship injury cases are settled or resolved in 12 to 36 months.
Contact us for a free consultation with an expert cruise accident attorney ->
BoatLaw’s Nationally Recognized Offshore Injury Lawyers
Douglas R. WilliamsDouglas R. Williams was raised in a military family. After retiring from the armed forces, his father sailed as the chief medical officer with several of the world’s prominent cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Doug spent a good part of his youth—when not in school—living in crew quarters aboard ships, sailing with his father. These experiences shaped his career by giving him firsthand exposure to the maritime industry from an early age. Read Doug’s lawyer profile. |
Nicholas J. NeidzwskiNicholas J. Neidzwski is an accomplished trial attorney who handles maritime and personal injury litigation. Nick’s litigation experience includes the successful resolution of various Jones Act, general maritime, and product liability cases on behalf of many different individuals against various companies, including some of the largest maritime corporations in the United States. He has appeared for plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Washington, California, Oregon, and Alaska, and has established a reputation as a dedicated advocate for injured individuals and their families. Read Nick’s lawyer profile. |
Law Firm Reviews
Don’t take our word for it, hear what clients have to say about the maritime attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP.
| The people at BoatLaw,LLP have truly been a Godsend. They fought for me when things were looking so tough for my future. Through their hard work, we were rewarded the maximum policy limit for my injury. I was able to get care at the top hospital in California and number two in the entire nation.
When you are hurt it is very hard to keep fighting everyday. Nick, Allyssa and the rest of his team personally checked on me, fought till we won and continues to support me through this stressful process. I would 100% recommend them. I’ve read reviews like this before and tbh didn’t fully believe them. But BoatLaw really went above and beyond for me. I had no hope, no money, and was severely hurt. Just having someone on your side that cares is huge. Im glad this whole thing is over but I am going to miss Nick,Alyssa,and the whole team at BoatLaw. They never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up. This group of people are amazing and I’m truly grateful for everything they have done for me. Thank you Nick, Alyssa, and the rest of the BoatLaw team, I’ll be forever grateful to you guys.” Devon Davis |
“If you told me 2.5 years ago I would be writing a glowing review for Lawyers and a Law Firm of my own free will, I would have laughed at you. Well here I am. After a personal injury, in which I fully blamed another party, I did much soul searching and decided to retain an attorney. After many phone calls to Attorneys in Seattle and New York City, I was directed to BoatLaw, LLP.
I believe Nick Neidzwski… of BoatLaw, LLP represented me to the fullest of their ability. They were honest, up front about how things would go, kept clear and concise communication with me. They informed me in advance of the risks and were very open about the process and how things would proceed. Nick called weekly to update me. When the opposition threw wrenches into our works, Nick worked tirelessly into the night to afford me the best representation anyone could want… Through their use of experts, joint examinations, depositions, medical records they were able to satisfactorily prove my case well enough that the other side settled. They also got me more than I expected. Their support staff at the office, especially Laura, were excellent and professional. They always made me feel welcome. I would highly recommend them!” Scott King |
“From the moment I was introduced to Nick and his team… eased my worries and made me feel secure that there were really good people working on my behalf.
And boy did they work. My case was not an easy one. There were a lot of firsts for everybody. Nick, Assal, and the rest of his team pushed through every hurdle lobbed our way with grace and poise, handling each new obstacle with apparent ease. One of my favorite things was that I got to be super hands off. I only joined the process when I was able to — or when I was required to — and no more than that. Life is very unfair, often to the same people over and over again. Luckily, life has also given us Nick and his team, a group of people who have dedicated their lives to helping people in some of the worst possible situations. And they’re so good at it. Great at it! And compassionate and caring and respectful and kind. There aren’t enough adjectives, and there isn’t enough data storage, to describe or hold the amount of gratitude I have for the amazing people that work here and at his other locations.” Autumn Rose |
See more reviews of BoatLaw, LLP ->
Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers in Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and Florida
The attorneys and legal experts at BoatLaw, LLP are ready to assist cruise accident victims in Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and Florida.
| State | Description | Top Ports |
| Washington | Law offices in Bellingham and Seattle. | |
| Oregon | Maritime law office in Portland. | |
| California | Maritime law offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. | |
| Alaska | Boat accident lawyers serving Alaska |
|
| Florida | Boat accident lawyers serving Florida |
Cruise Ship Lawsuit FAQ
Common Cruise Injuries
Vacationers on a cruise ship are expected to have fun, but they should remember that cruising is not a risk-free endeavor. Accidents happen on cruise ships all the time, and in some instances, they can result in serious injuries.
These are the most common type of injuries that occur on a cruise ship:
- Drowning
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Neck and back injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Broken body parts
- Concussions
Filing a claim or lawsuit to recover from these injuries can be stressful and complex. The damages an individual is able to recover as a cruise ship passenger may depend on the severity of their injuries, the cause of the injuries, and which state and federal boating and maritime laws apply to their case. That’s why it’s important to obtain the legal guidance of an experienced maritime injury lawyer as soon as possible following your incident. Contact BoatLaw today to receive guidance on a cruise ship injury claim.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Boating under the influence (BUI) is considered an illegal offense. According to recreational boating statistics from 2019 from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), alcohol use ranked as the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. In states like California, Oregon, California, Connecticut, and Alaska, an individual may be convicted of boating under the influence (BUI) if their ability to operate a boat is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
If you were injured onboard a cruise ship because the operator was under the influence, it’s best to obtain the legal representation of an admiralty law and maritime injury attorney as soon as possible. A firm such as BoatLaw LLP can assist you in obtaining recoverable damages such as medical expenses and funeral expenses. Our maritime injury lawyers will work aggressively to recover damages under state boating laws, the unseaworthiness doctrine, general maritime law, and the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA).
Recoverable Damages for Cruise Ship Passengers
Per 46 U.S.C. § 30102, vessel owners or operators of cruise ships owe a high duty of care to their passengers. This means they must ensure a safe cruising environment that is free of any hazards or issues that could cause injury. For example, vessel owners have a duty to warn cruise ship passengers of a hazardous situation and address it with diligence.
Failure to provide this duty of care by not maintaining a facility, providing staff with inadequate training, not putting up adequate warning signs, or otherwise acting negligently could cause the cruise owner to be liable for damages. The law also imposes a high duty of care on cruise ship manufacturers. If the cruise ship has a serious design or manufacturing flaw, the manufacturer may be liable for a passenger’s injuries.
If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them for damages. Damages are essentially the losses you’ve suffered because of your injury. They can be economic, such as medical bills or lost wages, or emotional, such as loss of enjoyment of life or pain and suffering. If your case is successful, a jury can award a monetary sum to cover these losses.
Some damages that cruise ship passengers can recover include the following:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
- Occupational retraining expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health care
- Reduced earning capacity
- Funeral expenses
With the assistance of experienced maritime lawyers, injured cruise ship passengers can file a lawsuit against potential liable parties including:
- Owner or operator of the ferry
- Company operating the ship
- The business from where they purchased their ferry ticket
- A third party, such as the physician working onboard the ferry
Additional Resources for Cruise Ship Passengers
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Cruise Reports – Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website to view yearly cruise line incident reports. The webpage offers reports from 2010 until 2021. Click on one of the PDFs to view alleged criminal activity occurring onboard cruise vessels.
- U.S. Department of State: Cruise Ship Passengers – Visit the U.S. Department of State website to view information for passengers on cruise ships. Click on the link to read important notes for traveling safely and tips for cruising. You’ll also be able to view a list of questions you can ask your cruise line.
- U.S. Coast Guard: Boating Safety – The U.S. Coast Guard is dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries, and property damage that occur on U.S. waterways. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s website to review boating safety guidelines. You’ll also be able to report a boat accident.
Work With Our Trusted Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys for Maximum Compensation
When facing the aftermath of injuries, partnering with our experienced cruise ship lawyers ensures that your case is handled with the precision and dedication it demands.
Contact us today to champion your cause and navigate the complexities of maritime claims, ensuring that your rights are fiercely protected and your future is secured.
Call 1 (800) 262-8529 for a free claim review and consultation.
Do not settle for less than what your case is worth!
