If you’re a personal injury lawyer with a client injured on a cruise ship, you might be wondering whether you should handle the case yourself or refer it out. While cruise ship injury claims may seem similar to other personal injury cases, they are often governed by a unique set of legal rules, tight deadlines, and restrictive forum clauses that can create significant hurdles — especially for attorneys practicing outside of Florida.
That’s why many attorneys across the U.S. choose to co-counsel or refer cruise passenger injury lawsuits to Florida-based attorneys who focus on these complex claims.
Need a trusted Florida cruise injury lawyer to co-counsel with? LawVine can connect you with attorneys experienced in federal cruise litigation, including cases against Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Disney Cruise Line. Contact us today to discuss your case referral or co-counsel opportunity.
1. Most Cruise Injury Lawsuits Must Be Filed in Florida
Many major cruise lines — including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Celebrity Cruises — include forum selection clauses in their passenger contracts. These clauses typically require all lawsuits to be filed in federal court in Miami (Southern District of Florida), regardless of where the plaintiff resides or where the ship was sailing.
Even if your client was injured off the coast of Alaska or the Bahamas, their legal rights may still be tied to Florida maritime jurisdiction. Filing in the wrong venue may result in dismissal.
2. Florida Cruise Injury Lawyers Understand Maritime Law Nuances
Cruise injury claims aren’t just regular slip-and-fall or negligence cases — they often involve complex maritime law. These laws may include:
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The 46 U.S. Code § 30509 prohibition on limiting liability for negligence
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The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
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Federal maritime common law standards
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Specific notice requirements and one-year statutes of limitations
Experienced Florida-based cruise attorneys are well-versed in these laws and how they interact with federal procedure, giving your client the best chance at recovery.
3. The One-Year Filing Deadline Is Easy to Miss
Most cruise passenger contracts require written notice of the claim within six months and a lawsuit to be filed within one year of the injury — far shorter than most state-based personal injury statutes of limitations.
This abbreviated timeline can catch even seasoned PI lawyers off guard. Missing these deadlines may be fatal to your client’s claim. A Florida-based cruise injury attorney can help move quickly and preserve the client’s rights.
4. Florida Cruise Attorneys Are Admitted in the Right Courts
Because many cruise ship claims must be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, attorneys unfamiliar with this venue may find themselves at a disadvantage — or ineligible to file altogether.
Working with a local attorney who is already admitted and familiar with the federal court’s electronic filing system, judges, and procedures can streamline the process and reduce risk.
5. Cruise Injury Discovery Is Unique and Often Challenging
Cruise lines have extensive internal protocols, crew logs, maintenance logs, CCTV footage, and injury reports — but getting access to these documents often requires knowing what to request, how to compel production, and how to navigate objections tied to maritime procedures and foreign corporate structures.
Local cruise injury lawyers often have established litigation templates, past deposition transcripts, and relationships with opposing counsel that can cut through red tape and increase claim value.
6. Fee-Sharing Is Allowed Under Florida Bar Rules
The Florida Bar allows for referral and co-counsel fee arrangements, provided they meet ethical requirements, such as:
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The client’s informed consent
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A reasonable division of responsibilities and fees
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Compliance with Rule 4-1.5(g) of the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct
This creates an opportunity for referring attorneys to be compensated fairly while ensuring their clients receive focused representation.
7. Florida Cruise Lawyers Often Have Past Results With Major Cruise Lines
Florida-based cruise attorneys frequently handle cases against Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL. This experience may lead to:
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Familiarity with recurring safety issues (e.g., bunk bed collapses, automatic door sensor failures, trip hazards, etc.)
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Faster case preparation based on prior discovery and pleadings
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Increased settlement leverage due to volume and reputation
If your client’s injury fits one of these recurring patterns, a cruise attorney who has handled similar cases may be able to present a stronger, more efficient case.
8. You Preserve the Attorney-Client Relationship and Enhance Value
Referring or co-counseling with a Florida cruise attorney doesn’t mean losing your client — in fact, it can enhance your value in their eyes. You’re bringing in jurisdictional and legal firepower while still playing an active role in the case, especially in a cocounsel arrangement.
Conclusion: Don’t Risk Your Client’s Claim — Refer It to a Florida Cruise Injury Attorney
Cruise injury claims are not standard PI cases. Between federal court filings, maritime law quirks, short deadlines, and jurisdictional traps, these cases are best handled by a Florida-based lawyer with cruise litigation experience.
Looking to refer a cruise ship injury case or discuss a co-counsel arrangement? LawVine helps attorneys across the country partner with qualified Florida cruise injury lawyers. Reach out now or call 800-337-7755 to connect today.