Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Los Angeles, CA

Hurt on a Cruise? Maritime Law Protects You — But Only if You Act Fast.

Cruise lines are experienced at minimizing injury claims. Your ticket contains contractual deadlines as short as one year — and mandatory forum selection clauses requiring litigation in a specific court. L&F Brown understands maritime law and fights cruise lines on their terms.

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California law

What You Need to Know Before You Settle

CA Law

Passenger ticket contracts: traps for the unwary

Nearly every cruise ticket contains a forum selection clause requiring lawsuits to be filed in a specific court (often Miami or Seattle). It also imposes contractual notice requirements (typically 6 months) and a shortened limitation period (often 1 year). Missing either deadline can bar your claim.

CA Law

Federal maritime law governs cruise injuries

Cruise ship injuries on navigable waters are governed by federal maritime law, not California state law. Maritime negligence requires proving the cruise line knew or should have known of the dangerous condition that caused your injury.

CA Law

The Jones Act for crew members

Crew members who are injured on a cruise ship have special protections under the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. §30104), which provides seaman status and a negligence cause of action against the shipowner. Jones Act claims are separate from passenger claims.

CA Law

Prior notice is the key issue

Unlike California premises liability, maritime slip-and-fall cases require proof that the cruise line had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Prior incident reports, maintenance logs, and guest feedback records are critical evidence.

Cruise injuries vary widely

Types of Cruise Ship Injury Claims We Handle

From wet decks and shore excursions to medical negligence and onboard assaults, cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care throughout the voyage.

Slip & Falls on Deck

Wet, uneven, or improperly maintained deck surfaces are among the most common sources of serious cruise ship injuries.

Shore Excursion Injuries

Injuries during cruise-sponsored shore excursions — the cruise line may be liable even when the excursion operator is a third party.

Medical Negligence at Sea

Shipboard medical facilities and doctors owe a duty of care. Delayed diagnosis, improper treatment, and failure to evacuate can give rise to claims.

Food Poisoning & Illness Outbreaks

Norovirus and other illness outbreaks on cruise ships can cause serious harm, particularly to elderly and immunocompromised passengers.

Assault & Sexual Assault

Cruise lines have a duty to protect passengers from foreseeable criminal acts by crew and other passengers.

Pool & Recreation Area Accidents

Inadequate supervision, slippery surfaces around pools, and defective recreation equipment injuries.

Deadlines are shorter than you think

What to Do After a Cruise Ship Injury

Cruise ship claims involve contractual traps that can bar your case permanently if you miss them. Act immediately after returning.

Report the injury to the ship's medical staff and pursers

Ask for an official incident report and keep a copy. This is your earliest documentary evidence.

Photograph the hazard and your injuries

Document the exact location and condition that caused your injury before it is cleaned up or changed.

Identify witnesses

Get names and contact information for other passengers or crew who witnessed the incident.

Review your ticket contract immediately

Your ticket contains notice deadlines and a forum selection clause. Missing either can end your case before it starts.

Contact L&F Brown as soon as you return

Contractual notice deadlines as short as 6 months mean there is no time to wait. We act quickly to preserve your rights under maritime law.

Injured on a Cruise?

Get the Compensation You Deserve.

Free consultation · Pay nothing unless we win · 6,000+ cases handled

800-953-0075

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

UCLA Law · Personal Injury Partner · 6,000+ Cases

Cruise lines print a 20-page contract in small type on your ticket — and they enforce every word of it. Knowing those clauses, knowing maritime law, and knowing what prior incident records to demand is how you actually win these cases.

Client Stories

Hear From the People We've Helped

“I had a very good experience with these lawyers. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal advice and fantastic service. Curt is an Ace.”

Jack Hoskinson

“Overall experience was great. Arya was extremely knowledgeable and guided me through a stressful time in my life. Response times were quick and reassuring. Very happy with the outcome of my case.”

David Chau

“Helped now on three different occasions. Have referred Curt to at least three other people.”

Scott MacDonell

What you can recover

Compensation Available After a Cruise Ship Injury

Maritime law permits recovery for the full range of economic and non-economic losses from cruise ship injuries.

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Medical Expenses
Shipboard medical care, emergency evacuation, and ongoing treatment after returning home.
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Lost Wages
Income lost during recovery from cruise-related injuries.
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Pain & Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress from on-ship injuries, including psychological harm from assaults.
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Trip Interruption Costs
Emergency transportation, accommodation, and rebooking costs caused by the injury.
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Permanent Disability
Compensation for lasting physical limitations from serious falls or other cruise ship injuries.
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Punitive Damages
Available in maritime cases involving recklessness or intentional misconduct by the carrier or crew.

Track record

Recent Verdicts & Settlements

Past outcomes don't guarantee future results, but they show what's possible when evidence is preserved and all defendants are pursued.

$6M Auto versus government entity settlement.

$4M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$2.5M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$1.5M Complex auto vs auto case.

$900K Complicated auto vs auto accident.

$700K Resolved following an auto accident injury.

Know your rights

Frequently Asked Questions

My cruise ticket says I must sue in Florida — can I still hire a California attorney?

Yes. Forum selection clauses require that your lawsuit be filed in a specific court, but they do not prevent you from hiring an attorney in any state. L&F Brown handles maritime cases in the courts specified by cruise ticket contracts, including federal courts in Florida and Washington. Your choice of attorney is not limited by the forum selection clause.

What is the deadline to make a claim against a cruise line?

Your ticket contract controls — and it may be as short as 6 months for written notice of the claim and 1 year to file suit. These are shorter than the California statute of limitations and must be strictly followed. If you miss the contractual deadline, your case may be barred entirely. Contact us immediately after returning from your cruise if you were injured.

Can I sue a cruise line if I was injured during a shore excursion?

Possibly. If the shore excursion was sold and operated by the cruise line or a company it substantially controlled, the cruise line may be directly liable. Even for independent operators, the cruise line may be liable if it failed to exercise reasonable care in selecting or supervising the excursion operator. Cruise lines often disclaim liability for independent operators in their ticket contracts — but those disclaimers are not always enforceable.

What law applies to my cruise ship injury claim?

Federal maritime law governs personal injury claims arising on navigable waters. This is a distinct body of law with its own negligence standards, defenses, and damages rules — different from California personal injury law. The prior notice requirement (the cruise line must have known about the hazard) is one of the most significant differences from California premises liability law.

Hurt on a Cruise? Maritime Law Protects You — But Only if You Act Fast.

What You Need to Know Before You Settle

Passenger ticket contracts: traps for the unwary