Florida’s Leading Cruise Line Injury Attorney

Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

scolaro law is recognized for its exceptional and relentless advocacy, delivering results that place it among florida’s top firms handling cruise injury cases. no matter where the incident occurred, we litigate accident cases against all major cruise lines. Our reputation, skills, and determination drive us to maximize our clients’ recovery while guiding them through every step of their case. 

Recognized Maritime Attorney, Headquartered in Miami, FL

Cruise ship injury claims are subject to various laws, including state, federal, and international law, as well as other factors like restrictive tickets, contracts, statutes of limitation, and more. Therefore, acting quickly and partnering with an experienced cruise ship maritime attorney is paramount. Scolaro Law has built a nationwide and international reputation for handling cruise ship accident cases that few other firms can match. 

Our cruise ship accident lawyers are relentless in overcoming legal obstacles to deliver the results our injured clients deserve and obtain justice, no matter what.

Nationwide Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer

Representing Passengers, Crew Members, and Family Members of Victims Throughout the US

With 25 years of experience litigating and winning against major cruise lines, we have seen the same scenario happen to every client we have represented. Each felt abandoned and ignored by cruise lines and their employees when they needed help—after an incident caused by the cruise line’s negligence or a medical emergency on board. In every case, the cruise line’s negligence has caused or worsened our clients’ conditions, leading to life-altering consequences that have left them with permanent injuries.

As Miami-based cruise ship attorneys, we understand the unique challenges involved in holding cruise lines accountable for their failures and misconduct. Whether representing injured passengers or crew members, our mission is simple: to seek and obtain the best recovery for those who have suffered from negligence at sea.

Scolaro Law Fights for Your Rights While You Focus on Recovery

At Scolaro Law, our client’s fight becomes our fight. We pride ourselves on being relentless advocates for those who entrust us with their cases. From the moment a client retains our firm, they can focus solely on healing and recovering from their injuries while we handle every aspect of their legal battle. As compassionate Florida personal injury attorneys, we guide our clients through each step of the process, from investigating the cruise line’s negligence to negotiating and litigating for maximum compensation.

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Your Partner in Navigating Maritime Law

How Scolaro Law Fights for You and Maximize Your Recovery

We are not only determined to secure the best compensation for our client’s injuries; we are equally committed to helping them rebuild their lives after an accident. To us, it is personal, and that is why ‘Hustle and Heart set us apart.’

Relentlessly Fight for Your Rights

Ready to Take Your Case to Trial

Use Top Maritime and Medical Experts

Maintaining open communication and keep you informed

how we can help you take the first step toward justice

25 Years of Experience Litigating Against All Major Cruise Lines

Choose Scolaro Law to Represent Your Case

Attorney Thomas Scolaro and his team at Scolaro Law have successfully litigated cases against all major cruise lines, establishing themselves as leaders in cruise ship accident litigation. Based in Miami, Florida, often called to as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” Scolaro Law is uniquely equipped to handle complex injury cases involving both cruise passengers and crew members.

Miami-Based Cruise Ship Lawyer

The majority of major cruise lines are headquartered in Miami, which directly impacts where injury lawsuits against them must be filed. Cruise lines include forum-selection clauses in their ticket contracts that mandate that all personal injury lawsuits be filed in Miami. This requirement applies regardless of where the injured passenger or crew member resides or where the cruise began or ended. Therefore, it is crucial for injured parties to work with an experienced attorney who focuses on cruise ship cases in Miami.

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Cruise Ship Accidents We Provide Legal Assistance For

Scolaro Law has extensive experience handling a variety of cruise ship accidents, including:

Medical Negligence

Cruise ships are required to have medical facilities and staff onboard. However, all too often, the medical care provided is substandard or inappropriate.

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Slips and Falls

Falls are common on cruise ships. If you have been a victim of a fall on a cruise ship, Thomas Scolaro can assist your case.

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Wrongful death

We work to ensure that surviving family members receive the compensation and justice they deserve and strive to create change to prevent future tragedies.

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Failure to Evacuate

In the face of a medical event that cannot be treated on board and where the time of treatment is of the essence, cruise lines are required to explore the feasibility of a medical evacuation, even while the ship is at sea.

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Sexual Assaults

Sexual assaults are unfortunately not uncommon on cruise ships. Scolaro Law has experience representing victims of sexual assault and will fight to hold the perpetrators accountable.

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Crew Member Claims

Crew members are covered by the Jones Act, the doctrine of unseaworthiness, and maintenance and cure benefits. These laws provide additional protections and remedies for injured crew that are unavailable to passengers.

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Shore Excursion Injuries

Cruise lines often organize or recommend shore excursions to their passengers. When injuries occur during these excursions, the cruise line may be held liable.

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Food Poisoning and Illnesses

Cruise ship passengers are at risk of contracting food poisoning or other illnesses from the close quarters and shared facilities. Cruise lines must implement proper food handling, storage, and hygiene practices to prevent these outbreaks.

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Food Allergies

Passengers with food allergies trust that the cruise line will accommodate their dietary needs. Scolaro Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve if you have been a victim of cruise ship negligence.

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Tender Boat Accidents

Cruise lines use tender boats to transport passengers from far and away docks or from the cruise ship to shore.

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Drowning and Pool Accidents

Cruise ships often have pools, hot tubs, and water parks that pose risks to passengers, particularly children.

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Onboard Activities & Passenger Injuries

Passengers who are injured during shipboard activities can seek legal assistance.

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Defective Equipment Injuries

Cruise lines must ensure all equipment is properly maintained and safe for use. If you have been injured, Scolaro Law can assist.

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Child Safety Incidents

 Cruise lines have a duty to provide proper supervision and create a safe environment for all minors, particularly when they are entrusted to the care of the ship’s staff.

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Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Beyond foodborne illnesses, passengers may contract infectious diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water systems or inadequate air filtration.

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If you have been involved in any of these situations, our experienced legal team is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Legal Representation for All Types of Cruise Ship Injuries

Cruise Lines we Sue

We have taken on all of the biggest cruise lines to fight for justice. No matter their size or influence, we stand firm to secure the fair outcomes our clients deserve.

  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • MSC Cruises
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Viking Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Seabourn Cruise Line
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
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Give Us A Call

(305) 424-2300

Top Cruise Ship Injury Attorney With Over $500 Million Won in Verdicts and Settlements

Highlight Cases

Through these landmark results, Tom Scolaro has pioneered the legal field addressing cruise lines’ failure to evacuate. Over the years, he has achieved more than a dozen 7-figure recoveries for victims and their families affected by cruise lines that failed to evacuate passengers or crew members when their conditions demanded it.

View All Case Results

Medical Malpractice

$5.5 Million

Tom Scolaro successfully challenged the damage caps imposed by the Athens Convention after a toddler suffered the amputation of multiple limbs due to a cruise doctor’s misdiagnosis.

Medical Malpractice

$4 Million

Our team obtained a $4,000,000 settlement for the family of a teenager who suffered a stroke onboard after the ship’s doctor misdiagnosed the condition as seizures and refused evacuation despite the parents’ pleas.

Crew Member Litigation

$3.3 Million

Representing Ilija Loncar, an injured crew member, Thomas Scolaro achieved a $3,335,000 arbitration award for the loss of his arm after being negligently injected with a highly toxic drug.

Compensation is Available for Your Cruise Ship Accident

When you are injured in a cruise ship accident, you may be entitled to recover damages that compensate for the harm you have experienced. These damages generally fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages Available in Cruise Ship Claims

As Miami-based cruise ship attorneys, we understand the unique challenges involved in holding cruise lines accountable for their failures and misconduct. Whether representing injured passengers or crew members, our mission is simple: to seek and obtain the best recovery for those who have suffered from negligence at sea.

Non-Economic Damages Available in Cruise Ship Claims

Non-economic damages address the more intangible effects of your injury, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and mental anguish. However, it is essential to note that maritime law does not allow for recovery of purely emotional injuries without a physical injury. It does, however, recognize negligent infliction of emotional distress if you were within the “zone of danger” of the accident.

In cruise ship accident cases, comparative fault can affect your recovery. Your compensation may be reduced accordingly if you were partially at fault for the accident. Maritime law also applies the doctrine of joint and several liability, which means that if multiple parties are responsible for your injury, they can each be held fully accountable for the damages. While punitive damages are unavailable, you can still seek compensation for various physical, emotional, and financial losses.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

“My family and I are extremely blessed to have had Tom and his team represent us during the most difficult time of our lives.”

Tom’s tireless work ethic was evident, revealed to us through constant communication and updates throughout the lengthy process. Tom handled our case as I would have handled it, if I had his legal expertise, with relentless determination, ferociousness, professionalism and integrity. That being said, his kindness, compassion and transparent genuine dedication to me and my family showed in every interaction. For whomever is reading this, and is considering being represented by him and his team, I will leave you with this, making this decision can and will alter the trajectory of your life. It has for me and my family, I wish you well, choose wisely.

Fran

What Our Clients Are Saying

“Highly Talented, Honest, Compassionate Lawyer”

My wife suffered a serious injury when we were visiting Miami. We hired an injury lawyer who failed to get us a satisfactory settlement after many months. We transferred our case to Tom and his team. Tom, Renaud and the rest of the team care deeply about their clients and go far beyond the client/attorney relationship. Our experience with Tom and Renaud was very satisfactory from the first moment we consulted with Tom. Tom and Renaud always responded quickly and effectively to all our questions. They did a brilliant work investigating and researching evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing for mediation. Tom hired a professional photographer to produce a short documentary video to highlight the amount of pain and suffering which my wife and every member of our family have suffered due to the injury. This video in addition to the many talents of Tom have ensured the satisfactory settlement which we got. Tom helped us to achieve a very satisfactory settlement, which was more than double what our first attorney managed to negotiate. The amount of investigation and research which Tom and Renaud put in our case was unbelievable. The way and strategy that Tom used to negotiated with the insurance company was amazing. Tom is an honest, compassionate, and extremely talented attorney, and above all he is a great negotiator. I would highly recommend him, and his amazing team, to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer. 

O.R.

What Our Clients Are Saying

“I would highly recommend Scolaro Law to anyone that needs someone on their side.”

Tom and his whole team were great. My suit took a long time, and they explained and guided me through every step. They were patient and kind, and made sure it was as easy for me as they possibly could. They didn’t just care about how much of a settlement they could get; they cared about the bottom dollar for Me. They didn’t just work the case; they understood it. Their knowledge of the legal system, what works and what doesn’t, is hard to find. I would highly recommend Scolaro Law to anyone that needs someone on their side.

Maria

What Our Clients Are Saying

“It was truly a pleasure to work with all the team of Scolaro Law.”

From our very first consultation, Thomas Scolaro was knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in my case. Tom and his legal assistant Barbie took the time to explain every step of the legal process, ensuring I fully understood my options and potential outcomes. They were always prompt in responding to any questions or concerns I had, making me feel supported and well-informed throughout. Thomas’s expertise and dedication truly showed in the handling of my case. He fought tirelessly to achieve the best possible result, and thanks to hard work of all Scolaro law team, the outcome exceeded my expectations. It was clear that the team not only knew the law inside and out but also genuinely cared about my well-being. If you’re looking for a professional, compassionate, and highly skilled attorney, I wholeheartedly recommend Thomas Scolaro and I am grateful to have had him by my side.

Nataliia

Partner With A Top Florida Personal Injury Attorney

How Scolaro Law Handles Your Cruise Ship Lawsuit

At Scolaro Law, we understand the urgency and complexity of filing a cruise ship accident claim. Cruise ticket contracts include strict notice and filing deadlines and specific conditions that can significantly impact the outcome of your case. That is why we act swiftly to protect your interests from the moment you contact us.

Quick action is paramount, as it allows us to secure evidence, gather witness statements, and preserve crucial information before it is lost. We immediately begin obtaining and maintaining this evidence, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Committed Representation For Your Personal Injury Claim

We also recognize that no two cruise ship accident cases are the same. When an injured client hires Scolaro Law, we take time to thoroughly understand the specifics of their case and their injuries. Our team evaluates the facts of the incident and the impact of the accident on their life. We tailor our approach to ensure we meet our clients’ physical and financial needs.
From maritime safety experts to former cruise line medical directors or Coast Guard professionals, we work with the best in the industry, allowing us to make the most compelling arguments on our client’s behalf.

Comprehensive Approach To Your Specific Case

Our team works with experienced cruise ship medical experts who can assess how cruise lines should have acted, and they provide liability testimony to buttress our case. Our comprehensive approach to evaluating all financial or emotional burdens of our client’s cases ensures that every aspect of their recovery is considered, and we seek full compensation for current and future needs.

Contact Scolaro Law today

Legal Representation for All Types of Cruise Ship Injuries

Ports we serve

No matter where your journey began or which port you sailed from, if you were injured on a cruise due to negligence, we are here to fight for you every step of the way.

  • Port of Miami
  • Port of Long Beach
  • Port of Boston
  • Port of Los Angeles
  • Port of New York, Brooklyn
  • Port Canaveral
  • Port of San Diego
  • Port of New York, Manhattan
  • Port of Palm Beach
  • Port of San Francisco
  • Port of Portland
  • Port of Tampa Bay
  • Honolulu Harbor, Oahu
  • Port of Mobile
  • JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
  • Port of New Orleans
  • Port of Charleston
  • Port Everglades
  • Port of Baltimore
  • Port of Galveston

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Receive Cruise Ship Accident Assistance from Scolaro Law

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cruise ship accident, it is critical to act fast. With a statute of limitations of typically just one year and a six-month notice requirement, time is of the essence when contacting our experienced cruise ship accident lawyers. Please complete the contact form now and let us represent and guide you through your case.

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Common Questions About Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuits

Over the last 25 years, Attorney Thomas Scolaro and his team have successfully litigated cases against all major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. We have also handled cases out of California against Princess Cruises and Vikings Cruises, as well as Seattle, Washington against Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line.

At Scolaro Law, we handle all types of cruise ship cases, from wrongful death, medical negligence, falls, and sexual assault to food poisoning, food allergies, shore excursion accidents, and tender boat accidents. We also handle cases involving child safety incidents and inadequate security. No matter the complexity or nature of the accident, we apply our knowledge of maritime law to investigate the facts and craft a strategic path forward. Our commitment to our clients is unmatched, and we fight relentlessly to secure the maximum compensation they deserve.

The statute of limitations for cruise ship injury cases is typically one year from the date of the incident, as specified in the cruise line’s ticket contract. In addition to this one-year limit, most contracts also require passengers to provide a written notice of the claim to the cruise line within six months of the incident. Failure to file the lawsuit within the one-year period or provide the required notice within six months can result in a total bar of the claim.

Yes, Scolaro Law has extensive experience litigating cruise ship accident cases in federal court. Mr. Scolaro is a skilled trial lawyer who will fight at mediation, in the courtroom, and through trial to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.

Based in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, Scolaro Law is uniquely equipped to handle cruise ship accident cases. Most cruise lines are headquartered in Miami, and cruise passenger tickets typically indicate that lawsuits based on negligence must be filed in Federal Court, in the Southern District of Florida located in Miami, FL. Located in Miami, we have amassed invaluable experience handling cruise cases both in Federal Court and through Arbitration.

At Scolaro Law, we represent clients in maritime accident, personal injury, and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This allows our clients to focus on their recovery without the concern of upfront legal costs.
If we can secure a financial settlement or verdict, our fee is a percentage of the total recovery, with expenses deducted only after the recovery is made. If we do not win the case, there are no legal fees to pay. Upon retaining our firm to represent you, we will take the time to go over our fee structure.