Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct on cruise ships happen more often than most people realize. Those assaulted by a crew member of the ship or another passenger face considerable challenges when it comes to justice after a cruise ship sexual assault. When you are on a cruise ship, you essentially give up many of the legal protections you take for granted, including the process of filing a claim for accidents or assault.

Another problem has to do with the statute of limitations if you are sexually assaulted by a passenger or crew member. The time limit to sue for rape and other kinds of sexual assault on cruise ships is very short compared to the statute of limitations in California. So, this is one of many factors that will impact your legal rights compared to land-based criminal prosecutions and lawsuits. A cruise ship sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the maritime legal system one step at a time. They can also ensure that a claim for damages is filed by the statutory deadline so that your right to sue is not invalidated.

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Can I Sue if I was Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship?

Can I file a lawsuit for being raped during a cruise? What are my rights as a victim of cruise ship sexual abuse?

Victims who suffered sexual abuse on a cruise ship have questions about their legal rights, and there’s no denying that these are complex and difficult cases. Maritime law dictates that cruise ship companies have a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for their guests. This includes adequate security to prevent passengers from being physically or sexually assaulted.

The key is to prove that the cruise ship company failed to meet the legal standard of care, and this level of negligence is the reason you were abused in a sexual manner. For example, cruise line companies may be liable for the actions of their employees, whether they were careless or intended to cause harm. This is why companies like Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, and many other businesses use stall tactics and put up other barriers that make things difficult for sexual abuse victims.

We urge you to contact our law firm immediately for assistance with a cruise ship rape and sexual abuse case. Our attorneys are experience in both adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse cases onboard cruise ships. Simply give us a call or use the online contact form to speak with a lawyer that’s experienced in maritime laws.

How We can Help You

For many years, Normandie Law Firm has stood with the victims of sexual abuse and fought to secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. The cruise ship industry has expanded tremendously in the last few decades, and so have incidents of accidents and sexual assault. Cruise line companies spend considerable time and effort to deny these claims, in spite of horrific incidents involving their own crew members. Sexual molestation of children, taking advantage of drunk passengers, rooms broken into by sexual predators – these are just some of the experiences that have happened to our clients.

Our cruise line sexual assault attorneys can help you file a claim for sexual abuse and negotiate a settlement for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other monetary damages.

How the Legal System is Exploited by Cruise Lines

It’s only been in recent year that cruise ships had to cooperate at all with law enforcement and federal authorities. This is based on the fact that ships operate in navigable waters, which are not subject to state laws that apply when someone is harmed on land. As a result, cruise ships from companies like Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, etc., were very resistant to letting police on board to conduct an investigation. In turn, this made things very difficult for victims to obtain evidence and pursue a civil claim for sexual assault. In spite of changes in the legal system, cruise ship sex abuse victims need help from a cruise ship sexual assault lawyer to ensure the best possible outcome in a lawsuit.

Holding Cruise Lines Accountable

As we mentioned before, negligence is the foundation of a civil case for sexual assault. In terms of suing a cruise ship company, here are the circumstances that we can use to establish liability:

• Negligent hiring practices
• Inadequate training of crew members and security guards
• Not doing routine background checks for criminal incidents like sexual assault
• Lack of supervision for youth activities and programs
• Failure to monitor common / high traffic areas, like passenger corridors
• Insufficient number of staff or security personnel
• Serving of alcohol to minors
• Lack of investigation / accountability for sexual assault and other criminal acts by crew members

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 was signed into law by President Barack Obama after victim advocacy groups demanded cruise ship safety measures. As a result, there are now federal laws that require the reporting of sexual assaults and other crimes by cruise ship operators.

Cruise ships must also have enhanced security measures, like surveillance cameras, rape sits with anti-viral medication for the victim, room key access logs, and a storage system for video footage pertaining to a criminal investigation. All incidents of cruise ship rapes and sexual assaults must be filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security. This information, which is available to the general public, must be reported by the cruise line company on a quarterly basis.

Reach Out to a California Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexual abuse victims and their loved ones have many questions concerning their rights and legal options. How can I sue the cruise liner for not providing security measures that could have kept me safe? What is the average case value for a cruise ship rape lawsuit?

Our office is here to provide answers and guidance to help you through this painful chapter of your life. From start to finish, you will receive compassionate and attentive treatment from our staff, and skilled representation to ensure that you receive the highest possible settlement.

We can also take over an existing case that you filed with another law firm. If you are unhappy with your current lawyer or the lack of progress with your case, you may be wondering, “Can I switch my lawyer for a sexual abuse lawsuit?” Yes, you can find new representation on a sexual assault claim at any point. But you should contact us for a free second opinion on your case to make sure that you make an informed decision.

At the end of the day, we are here to help, no matter where you are with a claim for sexual assault by a cruise ship employee or passenger.

Zero Fee Guarantee

We believe that victims deserve legal representation without compromising their finances. This is why we have always offered clients a Zero Fee Guarantee from day one. Your case will be handled by our attorneys for $0 out of pocket, and the only time we get paid is once your settlement is released by the other party. So, if you don’t get paid from a lawsuit for cruise ship sexual assault, you owe us absolutely nothing. To take advantage of this offer and initiate a case against the cruise liner, contact Normandie Law Firm 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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