Taking a cruise should be a relaxing and enjoyable time. However, the risk of getting injured is still there, just as it is back at home. Spending time on a cruise ship may actually increase the risk of some injuries, due to increased consumption of alcoholic beverages while on vacation as well as the unsteadiness that cruisegoers might feel on smaller boats.
Cruise ship laws are especially complicated because ships are not always registered in the United States. Here are some steps to take if you experience an injury on a cruise ship.
Visit the medical facility
Most major cruiseliners have an onboard medical facility, and paying a visit here is one of the first things that you should do should you sustain an injury while on the ship. This way, you can not only treat any potentially serious injuries but obtain documentation that an accident occurred and that you sought an evaluation as a result. Make sure to take copies of your medical records as they may be difficult to gather once you are off the boat.
Take photos
Take photos of anything that might be key to your personal injury case. For example, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor, take a picture of the floor. Additionally, talk to cruise ship staff to see if you can have any hidden camera evidence of your injury.
It is important to know what to do after experiencing an injury in any location, especially if that location is a cruise ship.
