Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers helps people in Florida when they’re hurt on a cruise ship. No matter where the accident happens on the ship, you have certain legal options if it was caused by negligence. But you might be worried about how you could afford a lawyer–or if you even need one. Contact our Florida cruise ship lawyers today for a free consultation to talk about your potential options.
How Much Does it Cost to Work With a Florida Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer?
At Cowen Edwards, we help people hurt in cruise ship accidents understand their rights–and that includes answering one of the most common questions we hear: “how much do you charge?” It’s a fair concern. After a cruise injury, you may be facing rising medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected costs. The last thing you need is to worry about how to afford legal help. That’s why we work on a “contingency fee” basis, which means:
- You don’t pay us anything upfront. We take our fee from whatever result we get for you.
Here’s how that benefits you:
- No upfront costs – You personally don’t have to pay our legal fees. This makes it easier to get started without added financial stress.
- Motivated representation – Because our fee depends on the outcome, we’re fully invested in fighting for the maximum financial support available to you in a claim.
- Low financial risk – No matter what the result is, you personally don’t owe us anything. While we try to maximize every single one of our cases, every situation is different. So, if we don’t get as much as we expect from your claim, there’s still low financial risk for you.
- Shared goals – We succeed when you do. That means we’ll work hard to make sure you’re treated fairly and your claim is as strong as possible.
Not every law firm handles cruise injury claims this way–but we do, because we believe every client has certain expectations when they’re hurt because of someone else’s negligence, no matter what their financial situation is.
What Makes Up My Damages in a Cruise Ship Accident Claim?
Being injured in a cruise ship accident is obviously pretty scary. You don’t board a ship expecting to get injured, but there’s a lot that can go wrong–especially when negligence is involved. This gives you the same legal options as it would if you were in a car accident in your own neighborhood. So, when you decide to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, the point is to get “damages” in a settlement. This usually includes things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers your hospital visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical care related to your injury. Whether you were treated onboard or had to seek care once back on land, these costs can add up quickly.
- Lost wages and future earnings – This covers the income you missed while recovering–and the income you may lose if your injury affects your ability to work long-term. If your cruise injury caused time off or even impacted your career, you may be able to recover those losses.
- Pain and suffering – This covers the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injury. These damages recognize how the injury affects your day-to-day life beyond just the bills.
- Emotional distress – This covers the mental and emotional impact of the accident, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and other psychological effects. A cruise accident can be traumatic, especially if it involves a serious incident or life-threatening situation like a drowning.
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship – This covers the loss of your ability to take part in activities or enjoy relationships the way you could before the injury. For example, if you can no longer travel, exercise, or spend time with loved ones as you once did, these damages aim to reflect that loss.
- Wrongful death expenses – This covers the cost relating to your loved one’s fatal injuries. They can range from funeral expenses to expenses for your family’s grief. In the event of a fatal accident at sea, surviving family members could file a wrongful death claim.
These types of damages may be available to you–but they’re not automatically granted. You’ll need to build a solid case to prove the cruise line or another party was responsible for what happened. That’s why the steps you take after a cruise ship accident are critical–and why having our experienced legal team by your side can make all the difference.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Cruise Ship Accident in Florida?
If you were hurt on a cruise ship, you might be wondering if you need a lawyer. For minor injuries, you may be able to handle things on your own. But if your injuries are serious or the cruise line isn’t being helpful, having a lawyer can make things much easier. Here’s how Cowen Edwards can help:
- Explaining your options and how the law works around your particular situation.
- Gathering important evidence like medical records, photos, and witness statements. We’ll help collect and organize it all.
- Negotiating with the cruise line’s Insurance companies for a fair settlement.
- If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we can take your case to court and represent you from start to finish.
At Cowen Edwards, we focus on helping people injured on cruise ships. If you’re not sure what to do next, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help you move forward.
