If you were injured on a Carnival Cruise, you may be trying to figure out what to do next. Many passengers are surprised to learn that filing a claim with Carnival is not the same as filing a typical personal injury claim, and that Carnival imposes strict deadlines and requirements that can affect your case.

Because most Carnival cruises depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville, many injured passengers live in Florida or must file their claim in Florida. Carnival’s ticket contract includes specific rules about notice, time limits, and where a lawsuit must be filed.

If you want help navigating the process, you can contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 for a free consultation.

Understand Carnival’s Claim Requirements

Carnival has a passenger ticket contract that acts like a binding agreement. When you board, you agree to the terms even if you never read them. These terms may include:

• A requirement to give written notice of your claim (often within 6 months)
• A requirement to file a lawsuit within 1 year of the incident
• A requirement that lawsuits be filed in federal court in Miami

These terms apply whether the injury happened:

• On the ship
• On a tender boat
• During a ship-sponsored shore excursion
• In your cabin
• On a waterslide or attraction
• In a dining area
• While embarking or disembarking

Missing these deadlines may prevent you from bringing a claim, which is why acting early may help protect your rights.

Report the Incident on the Ship (If Possible)

If the injury happened while you were still onboard, you may want to report it to:

• Guest Services
• Ship security
• The medical center

Carnival often generates an incident report. Getting your injury documented while onboard may help avoid disputes later.

If you already left the ship, you may still file a report with Carnival after the cruise.

Get Medical Treatment

Cruise ship medical centers can provide basic treatment, but serious injuries often require follow-up care after you return home.

You may consider saving:

• Medical records from the ship
• Medications provided
• X-ray or diagnostic notes
• Post-cruise medical evaluations
• Receipts for treatment

Medical documentation may help link your injuries to the cruise incident.

Preserve Evidence

Evidence on a cruise ship can disappear quickly. You may want to keep:

• Photos or videos of the hazard (wet floors, broken railings, unsafe conditions)
• Witness names or contact information
• Photographs of your injuries
• Footwear and clothing worn at the time
• Shore excursion documentation
• Receipts for onboard purchases related to the incident

Carnival rarely shares its own evidence unless legally required, so preserving what you have may be important.

Notify Carnival About Your Claim

Carnival typically requires written notice of your claim within a specific timeframe (often 6 months). This notice usually goes to Carnival’s Risk Management department or its designated claims office.

Your notice may include:

• Your full name
• Date of the incident
• Ship name and sailing date
• A general description of what happened
• A request to preserve evidence

This notice does not have to include every detail, but it should be timely.

Determine Who Is Responsible

Liability may depend on:

• Whether Carnival knew or should have known about the hazard
• Whether the hazard existed long enough to be corrected
• Whether Carnival violated safety standards
• Whether equipment malfunctioned
• Whether a crew member acted negligently

For excursion injuries, responsibility may depend on whether Carnival promoted, sponsored, or controlled the excursion provider.

Understand Where the Lawsuit Must Be Filed

For most injury claims, Carnival requires lawsuits to be filed in:

Federal Court in Miami (Southern District of Florida)

This requirement may apply even if:

• You live outside Florida
• The injury happened in another country
• The ship left from a different port

This forum-selection clause is one of the most misunderstood parts of cruise injury claims, and missing this venue requirement may result in dismissal.

File Your Lawsuit Within One Year

Carnival’s contract often requires lawsuits to be filed:

Within one year of the date of the injury

This is much shorter than standard Florida personal injury deadlines. Failing to file within one year may bar your claim permanently, regardless of how strong the case is.

Types of Carnival Cruise Injury Claims

Passengers frequently bring claims for:

• Slip and falls on wet decks
• Falls on staircases
• Pool deck or waterslide injuries
• Food poisoning or illness
• Shore excursion accidents
• Gangway and tender boat injuries
• Injuries caused by unsafe conditions in cabins
• Burns from hot liquids or faulty equipment
• Falling objects from overhead areas
• Crew negligence
• Sexual assaults due to inadequate security
• Medical negligence by cruise doctors or nurses

Each type of case may involve unique rules and evidence.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Carnival Cruise Claims

Passengers often report:

• Fractures
• Knee or hip injuries
• Back or neck injuries
• Torn ligaments
• Shoulder injuries
• Concussions
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Spinal injuries
• Head trauma
• Emotional distress

Your medical records and photographs may help demonstrate the extent of your injuries.

What Compensation You May Be Able to Pursue

Depending on your situation, compensation may include:

• Medical bills
• Follow-up treatment after returning home
• Lost income
• Reduced work capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages (for families)

The value of the claim depends on the facts, evidence, and severity of the injuries.

How We Can Help

Our Miami cruise lawyers can:

• Review the circumstances of your injury
• Explain Carnival’s deadlines and claim requirements
• Send proper written notice
• Preserve evidence
• File your lawsuit in the correct court
• Communicate with Carnival’s legal team or insurers
• Pursue compensation for your injuries and losses

There are no fees or costs unless the case is resolved successfully.

You Do Not Have To Navigate This Alone

Cruise injury claims are usually different from traditional personal injury cases, and Carnival’s deadlines can be unforgiving. If you want guidance on how to file a claim with Carnival after a cruise injury, you can contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 for a free consultation.