Maritime and Cruise Line Attorney in Florida

Dedicated Defective Equipment Lawyer Representing Clients Nationwide

At Scolaro Law, our attorneys are dedicated to helping clients who’ve been injured due to defective equipment on cruise ships. We navigate complex legal challenges, gather crucial evidence, and fight tirelessly to ensure those responsible face justice.

Were You Injured from Defective Equipment on a Cruise Ship?

Cruise vacations are meant to be relaxing and enjoyable, but when defective equipment is involved, passengers and crew members can suffer serious injuries. Cruise lines have a duty to maintain their vessels in a safe condition, ensuring that all equipment is thoroughly inspected, maintained, and repaired. Unfortunately, mechanical failures and defective equipment on cruise ships can lead to severe accidents, putting lives at risk.

When accidents happen due to a faulty or defective piece of equipment, Scolaro Law’s team is here to investigate, gather key evidence, and build a case that holds the responsible parties accountable.

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Common Defective Equipment on Cruise Ships That Can Lead to Injury

Defective or poorly maintained equipment can pose risks across many onboard leisure and activity areas. Scolaro Law identifies these dangers, collects evidence, and fights for justice when defective equipment causes injuries on cruise ships.

Sports & Recreation Facilities

Golf driving ranges, basketball courts, rock climbing walls, and mini-golf courses may have defective equipment like faulty safety nets, unstable hoops, or malfunctioning harnesses.

Fitness & Wellness Areas

Gym equipment, yoga mats, and spa amenities can have defects, such as broken parts, slippery surfaces, or faulty controls.

Aquatic Zones

Swimming pools, water slides, and hot tubs may have broken drains, defective mechanisms, or safety hazards like loose handrails.

Entertainment & Tech-Driven Activities

Stage equipment, such as collapsing props or unstable lighting rigs, can lead to serious injuries.

Outdoor & Lounge Areas

Deck chairs, umbrellas, and loungers may have defects like collapsing frames or unsecured structures in windy conditions.

Transport & Mobility Equipment

Rental scooters, elevators, escalators, and gangways can have dangerous flaws like faulty brakes, entrapment risks, or slippery surfaces.

Family & Kids’ Zones

Playground equipment, water areas, and game rooms may have unsafe conditions, like broken structures or sharp edges.

Miscellaneous Defective Equipment

Automatic sliding-doors, lighting systems, and laundry equipment can present hazards like unexpected closures, exposed wiring or broken pipes.

If you have been a victim of cruise ship defective equipment, our team is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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how we can help you take the first step toward justice

Common Causes of Equipment Failure on Cruise Ships

At Scolaro Law, we have represented many clients whose injuries were caused by defective equipment and poor maintenance. We gather crucial evidence, such as maintenance records and expert testimony, to build a strong case and hold cruise lines accountable for their negligence.

Lack of Maintenance: Cruise lines often operate under deferred maintenance or deferred inspections to minimize downtime and routine maintenance tasks while a ship is at sea are often overlooked.
Manufacturer Defects: Equipment may have hidden flaws due to design errors or substandard materials. Cruise lines may face liability even if defects are later discovered, especially if they failed to vet suppliers adequately.
Wear and Tear: The marine environment accelerates degradation due to saltwater corrosion, humidity, and constant vibration. Proactive upkeep, such as predictive maintenance using sensors, is paramount to detect and mitigate risks but is not universally adopted by cruise lines due to high upfront costs.

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Legal Rights of Injured Passengers and Crew

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Medical Expenses: Coverage includes emergency care, surgeries, medications, and future treatments related to the injury.
Lost Wages: Passengers can claim income lost during recovery; crew members may seek lost earnings plus diminished future earning capacity if disabled.
Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress due to the injury, including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible impacts on the quality of life.
Rehabilitation Costs: Long-term needs like occupational therapy or adaptive equipment.

Important Legal Frameworks of Your Case

Passenger Claims: Under maritime law, cruise lines must provide a “duty of reasonable care.” Failure to maintain equipment or address known hazards constitutes negligence.
Crew Protections: The Jones Act allows crew to sue employers for negligence and “unseaworthiness” if defective equipment renders the vessel unfit.

Procedural Considerations When Suing Cruise Lines

Jurisdiction: Cruise tickets often provide filing lawsuits in the Southern District of Florida, in Miami, Florida.
Time Limits: Injury claims against Cruise Lines typically have a 1 year statute of limitations for passengers and a 6-month notice requirement making it important for injured passengers to act quickly.
Evidence Preservation: Prompt documentation (surveillance, videos, photos, witness statements, medical reports) is critical. Cruise lines may repair equipment post-accident, potentially spoiling the evidence of a case.

Scolaro Law: Successfully Litigating Cases Involving Defective Equipment

Highlight Cases

At Scolaro Law, we have successfully handled numerous cases involving defective equipment on land and on cruise ships. We guide clients through the legal process with skill and proficiency, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.

View All Case Results

Fatal electrocution

$10 Million

Young teenager was fatally electrocuted while playing miniature golf when she retrieved her golf ball from a small water pond that was part of the game. Poor maintenance caused the water to be electrified.

Basketball Court Safety Issue

$2.5 Million

A missing protective foam padding on a basketball court resulted in a young passenger sustaining a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on a pole while chasing after a basketball.

Malfunctioning Automatic Sliding-Door

$600,000

An automatic sliding-door closed on a passenger as she entered a store on a cruise ship. When the doors closed on her, she was struck on one side of her body, causing her to lose her balance and to fall to the ground and sustain a catastrophic hip fracture. Video evidence in this case played a crucial role in establishing the sliding-door was defective.

Legal Representation for All Types of Cruise Ship Injuries

Cruise Lines we Sue

We’ve taken on some 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

Taking Action After an Injury on Cruise Line

If you or a loved one has been injured due to defective equipment on a cruise ship, taking immediate action can help protect your legal rights. Our team at Scolaro Law is ready to guide you through the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve.

Seek Medical Attention – Your health and safety are the top priority.
Document the Incident – Take photos of the defective equipment, record witness statements, and note the circumstances of the accident.
Report the Injury – Notify the ship’s crew and request a written incident report.
Consult Scolaro Law – Cruise lines have complex legal protections, and Scolaro Law’s experienced maritime attorneys help clients with their claim with the sole objective to maximize their recovery.

Your Partner in Navigating Defective Equipment Lawsuits

Why Trust Scolaro Law with Your Cruise Ship Injury Case?

At Scolaro Law, we do not just handle cruise ship litigation—we pave the way, we redefine it. Tom Scolaro has built a reputation for achieving justice and taking on cases that many firms turn down. His leadership in challenging the cruise industry’s legal protections has led to landmark victories, including breaking through the Athens Convention’s damage caps—limitations cruise lines rely on to minimize payouts to injured passengers. With a track record of pushing legal boundaries and a relentless commitment to advocacy, Scolaro Law continues to lead the way in cruise ship injury law.

Proven Success

With over $500 million recovered for injured clients, our firm has a strong track record of securing compensation for those hurt on cruise ships, ensuring justice is served.

Decades of Experience

For 25 years, we have litigated over 150 cruise ship injury claims, particularly those involving complex incidents caused by faulty equipment, defective products, and unsafe onboard conditions.

Tailored Representation

Every case is unique, and we take the time to understand the specifics of your case, crafting a strategy that is tailored to address your needs and secure the best possible outcome.

Fierce Advocacy

We don’t back down. Our team fights relentlessly to hold cruise lines accountable for their negligence, especially when it comes to equipment that put passengers at risk.

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