Cruise Ship Claims for Sea Injuries and Accidents

Can You Make a Claim for an Accident on a Cruise Ship or Ferry?

In general, cruises are safe, but accidents do happen on board. If you are a passenger who gets injured during a voyage, you may be entitled to compensation under international maritime law (for example, the Athens Convention), which may provide for compensation. Sea travel accident claims may be valid in cases of negligence that lead to injury. Examples include: 

• Slips and Trips: A loose deck can lead to falls when it is wet, or poorly maintained stairs may also lead to falls, if the correct safety measures are not taken.
• Rough Weather Incidents: With heavy waves or storms to contend with, the crew should be aware of the dangers posed by unsecured objects.

• Food Poisoning or Illness: Sickness from contaminated food or poor hygiene on the ferry (e.g., a norovirus outbreak).
• Onboard Medical Mistakes: Errors by the ship’s doctor or nurse that worsen an injury or illness.

Maritime tourism companies have a duty of care to keep passengers safe. If they breach this duty of care, resulting in your injury, you have the right to make cruise ship claims for compensation.

Am I Eligible to Claim for Cruise Ship Accidents in the UK or Overseas?

In the UK, in certain circumstances, you are entitled to claim damages in the UK even if your ship accident took place outside the UK and is accepted under UK law. If your cruise ship claim has an amount between £1000 – £2,000 or less as general damages (pain, suffering, loss of amenity), it is likely to go on the small claims track. Maritime legislation entitles you to claim damages in the case of your accident.

You may be able to bring your claim forward if:

• The ferry is registered in the UK
• You booked through a UK-based travel operator 
• The ferry departed from or returned to a UK port

If one of these applies, you can pursue your cruise accident claims within the UK legal system.

What’s the Deadline for a Cruise Ship Accident Claim?

You have a strict two-year window from the day you leave the ship to begin your injury claim. This time limit, set by the Athens Convention, is tighter than the three-year deadline used for most land-based injury cases. Once those two years pass, your chance to legal proceedings is gone, no extensions, no exceptions. If you’ve been hurt, it’s important to act quickly and start your claim while the evidence is still fresh.

What’s Required to Make a Cruise Ship Accident Claim?

To succeed in your claim, you need to show the maritime tourism operator (or another party) was at fault for your injury or illness. That means gathering evidence. Key steps to follow if you’re considering making a claim include:

1. Report the Incident: Tell the ship’s crew immediately and make sure they record it. Also, get the names of any witnesses.

2. Gather Evidence: Take photos or video of the scene and the cause (e.g., a wet floor or broken rail). If CCTV captured the incident, ask staff to save the footage.

3. Get Medical Help: Visit the ship’s doctor and see a doctor on land as soon as possible. Keep all medical reports and receipts as evidence of your injury and treatment.

4. Save Receipts: Hold on to proof of every expense related to the incident, such as medical bills, medication receipts, travel costs, and hours you lost from work.

5. Be Wary of Quick Offers: Never just accept a quick offer of compensation from the line before talking to a solicitor; it may mean giving up your right to a full compensation application.

How Much Could My Cruise Ship Claim Be Worth?

Compensation for an injury or illness on board can vary widely. It’s calculated based on factors like the severity of your damage and pain, your medical and care costs, any lost income (including future earnings if your ability to work is affected), out-of-pocket expenses (such as extra travel or missed excursions), and the impact on your quality of life.

As a rough guide, compensation might range from a few hundred or a few thousand pounds for minor cases up to sizeable five-figure sums for very serious cases. CaseCraft supports small claims, ideal for handling many cruise injury cases that fall within the small claims limit. To get a sense of what your accident claims could be worth, you can explore real examples on the CaseCraft AI Money Claims Map. It outlines the types of legal proceedings CaseCraft supports to help you understand what might apply to yours.  And remember, we operate on a No Win, No Fee basis; you only pay if you win, which makes starting claims low risk.

How Long Does a Compensation Claim Take?

The duration for settling a compensation claim will differ based on the specifics of the case. Here are things that could affect the time it takes: 

• Simple Claims: If the ship line admits responsibility this early in the process and the documentation of your injury is complete, you could have your claim settled in a matter of months.
• Disputed or Complex Claims: If the company takes the position that they are not at fault or if it requires additional investigation, then the claim may take more than a year to settle.

• Evidence Matters: The stronger and clearer the documentation you provide, the more expedient the process tends to be.
• Legal Steps and Delays: If the matter is resolved without an adversarial legal step, it could be a faster process. Complications could exist if the line contests responsibility, there is a dispute surrounding the evidence, which results in a more formal legal process and potentially a court hearing.

In some cases, communication with travel insurance providers may also affect the timeline. To keep your ship compensation claims on the right track to resolution, CaseCraft AI allows you to be orderly every step of the way, so your small compensation claims don’t fall through the cracks.

Cruise Accident Claims for Crew Members

Crew members harmed on the job have the same right to compensation as passengers. Here’s what you should do if you’re injured as a crew member:

Report the accident immediately to your supervisor or safety officer on board:

• Seek Medical Help: On the ferry and again once you’ve disembarked
• Document Everything: Take photos, keep medical records, and write down what happened
• Collect Witness Details: If anyone saw the incident
• Track Expenses: Like treatment, medication, and lost wages

Ready to make your cruise claim? Don’t let an accident or illness at sea go unanswered. If you suffered an injury or illness while on board, start your small cruise compensation claim and contact CaseCraft AI. Fair treatment should not depend on the complexity of the system. 

Note: This material only provides general guidance and is not legal advice.