## Cruise ship injuries in District of Columbia Cruise ship injuries are governed by **federal maritime law** (general maritime + admiralty), not District of Columbia state law. District of Columbia cruise passengers face unique procedural requirements + tight deadlines. ## Federal maritime jurisdiction **Why federal law applies:** - Vessels operate on navigable waters - Federal admiralty jurisdiction (US Constitution Art. III) - General maritime law applies - Specific federal statutes - Foreign-flagged ships still subject (typically) **Result:** - ${s.name} state PI law generally inapplicable - Federal procedural rules - Specific statute of limitations - Specific forum clauses ## Common cruise injuries **Slip + falls:** - Wet decks - Spilled drinks / water - Worn carpeting - Stairway falls - Pool decks **Medical issues:** - Inadequate medical care - Misdiagnosis at sea - Norovirus / outbreak - Food poisoning - Allergic reactions - Heart attacks at sea - Birth-related injuries **Excursion injuries:** - Snorkeling / diving accidents - ATV / horseback excursions - Bus / vehicle accidents - Local tour guide negligence - Often disclaimed by cruise lines **Pool / waterpark:** - Drowning / near-drowning - Inadequate supervision - Slide injuries - Diving injuries **Ship malfunctions:** - Engine fires - Power failures - Stranded at sea - Mechanical failures - Ventilation issues **Sexual assault:** - By crew members - By other passengers - Inadequate security - Underreported epidemic **Cruise ship sickness:** - Norovirus (very common) - Other outbreaks - Food contamination - Water contamination **Drowning / man overboard:** - Pool / hot tub drownings - Falls overboard - Inadequate barriers - Inadequate response ## The passenger ticket contract **The fine print matters:** **Common provisions:** - Forum selection clause - Statute of limitations (typically 1 year) - Notice requirements (often 6 months) - Jury waiver - Damages limitations (sometimes) - Class-action waiver - Choice of law - Arbitration provisions **These are GENERALLY enforceable.** ## Forum selection clauses **Most major cruise lines:** - **Carnival** — US District Court Southern District of Florida (Miami) - **Royal Caribbean** — same - **NCL** — same - **Princess** — Los Angeles federal court - **MSC** — Naples (international cruises) - Specific to itinerary **Carnival v. Shute (1991):** - Supreme Court upheld forum clauses - Even on small print - Even for small claims - Standard practice ## Statute of limitations **Generally 1 year:** - Per Section 30508 of Title 46 - Often shorter than state PI deadlines - Strictly enforced - Cannot be extended typically **Notice requirement:** - Often 6 months written notice - Notice to specific cruise line address - Specific contents required - Failure = case barred **${s.name} state PI deadlines** generally don't apply to cruise cases. ## Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) **46 USC § 30301 et seq.:** - Applies to deaths beyond US territorial waters - Limited damages — pecuniary loss only - No pain & suffering - No loss of consortium for adults - Significant limitation **For deaths in US waters or in port:** - General maritime law applies - More damages available - Different procedural rules ## Cruise line defenses **Common defenses:** **1. Lack of notice:** - Failed to give 6-month notice - Improperly served - Wrong address - Strict enforcement **2. Statute of limitations:** - 1-year deadline missed - Strict enforcement **3. Forum selection:** - Filed in wrong court - Transfer or dismissal **4. Standard of care:** - Reasonable care under circumstances - Not strict liability - Specific maritime standards **5. Independent contractor:** - Excursion operators not employees - Limited cruise line liability - Ticket disclaimers **6. Comparative fault:** - Passenger's negligence - Reduces recovery **7. Liability caps in tickets:** - Specific caps for some claims - Generally enforceable - Sometimes challenged ## Damages **Available in maritime cases:** - Past + future medical expenses - Past + future lost wages - Pain & suffering - Mental anguish - Disfigurement - Loss of enjoyment of life - Sometimes loss of consortium (state-dependent) **Limited in DOHSA cases:** - Pecuniary loss only - Lost income / support - Lost services - No pain & suffering **Punitive damages:** - Available in maritime cases - Townsend v. Vessel Vincenza (2024) — recent Supreme Court ruling on availability - Specific cases - Limited but possible ## Sexual assault on cruises **Increasingly significant:** **Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (2010):** - Reporting requirements - Security measures - Crime statistics published - FBI investigation jurisdiction **Civil claims:** - Negligent hiring / retention - Inadequate security - Failure to investigate - Failure to warn - Concealment - Significant settlements + verdicts **Class actions:** - Some industry-wide claims - Specific to cruise lines ## Critical evidence preservation **Immediately:** - Photos of scene + injury - Witness contact info - Crew member names + numbers - Ship's medical records (request copies) - Incident reports (get copy at time) - Receipts (medical, etc.) - Communications with cruise line - Surveillance video preservation request **Cruise line will often:** - Conduct own investigation - Take statements - Photograph scene - Document medical care - Disagree with passenger version ## Excursion injuries **Cruise lines often disclaim liability:** - Independent contractor status - Foreign tour operators - Limited liability for excursions - Ticket disclaimers **Sometimes liable:** - Negligent recommendation - Misrepresentation about safety - Concealment of known risks - Specific control over operator - Vicarious liability rare but possible ## International issues **Foreign-flagged ships:** - Most cruise ships not US-flagged - Bahamas, Liberia, Panama common - Limits some US protections - Choice of law issues **Foreign port injuries:** - Local law sometimes applies - Limited US court jurisdiction - Difficult evidence collection - Foreign defendants **Foreign passengers:** - May have different rights - Forum selection still applies typically ## Specific cruise line locations **Major US ports:** - Miami (busiest) - Port Everglades / Fort Lauderdale - Port Canaveral - Port of Galveston - Port of Los Angeles - Seattle - New York - New Orleans - ${s.name} ports if applicable ## Strategic considerations **For cruise passengers:** **Before cruise:** - Read ticket terms - Buy travel insurance - Document any pre-existing conditions **During cruise (if injured):** - Report immediately - Document everything - Get medical care + records - Witness contact info - Photograph scene - Preserve evidence **After cruise:** - Don't sign anything from cruise line - Don't speak to claims adjuster - Send 6-month notice promptly - Hire maritime attorney quickly - File within 1 year ## What you should do If you're injured on a cruise from District of Columbia or while on cruise: hire maritime / admiralty attorney IMMEDIATELY — deadlines are tight + procedural requirements strict. Most maritime attorneys handle these on contingency. Specific maritime PI specialists exist (often Florida-based given Miami forum). Don't talk to cruise line claims department before counsel. --- *This guide is general information about federal maritime law as of mid-2026 and is not legal advice. Cruise ship cases are highly technical. Talk to a licensed maritime / admiralty attorney about your specific situation.*