California Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys

Accomplished lawyers help passengers who suffer onboard accidents

Cruises are a popular vacation choice for many Californians. They are fun and can take you to exotic places. They can also be very dangerous if the cruise line or its employees fail to act responsibly. Many people are hurt every year on large passenger ships, with some accidents causing catastrophic, or even fatal injuries. At Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C., we are experienced California injury attorneys who know how to handle complicated legal matters. Cruise ship companies use various methods to try to avoid liability even in clear-cut cases of negligence, but we have the skill and determination to counter their tactics and pursue fair compensation for victims.

Common accidents onboard cruise ships

Many cruise ships are based in California or spend significant time here. In a normal year, more than 2 million passengers and crew members embark and disembark within the state. Given the number of people and activities on these ships, accidents are inevitable. However, many injuries that occur at sea can be avoided if the cruise line fulfills its duty of care.

Thousands of serious medical problems occur at sea each year as a result of:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Fires and explosions
• Falls into the water
• Collisions with other boats, docks or land
• Elevator and escalator accidents onboard the cruise ship
• Injuries on the deck
• Food poisoning
• Exposure to dangerous chemicals or gases

Cruise ship owners, operators and staff are all required to exercise reasonable care to keep passengers safe. When they fail to do that, our personal injury attorneys can evaluate the facts and explain the jurisdictional issues that might exist because most ships are registered in other countries. From there, we take the necessary legal steps to recover medical expenses, lost income and other damages stemming from your accident.

Injuries from cruise ship accidents in California

Cruise ships are large and present various types of dangers. Often, the ship’s doctor will treat passengers for minor injuries, but catastrophic injuries occur onboard as well. These injuries can be life-changing causing severe pain, loss of function and possibly permanent disfigurement. Injuries suffered by cruise ship patrons include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Severe burns and other types of skin trauma
• Loss of limbs and appendages
• Amputation
• Paralysis and spinal cord damage
• Crush injuries from heavy objects
• Drowning
• Electrocution injuries

In the most serious cases, cruise ship accidents are fatal. Our firm represents surviving family members in wrongful death litigation to secure compensation for final expenses, income the decedent would have been expected to earn and other available damages.

Negligence in cruise ship accidents

When a cruise line or one of its employees fails to act with reasonable care and an injury results from that failure, it is negligence. We collect the relevant evidence to demonstrate the defendant’s fault and the extent of the damages you have suffered. Whether resolved through a settlement or trial verdict, our objective is to bring you the payment you need to recover financially and physically from your injuries.

Speak with a California cruise ship injury attorney for help

Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C. advocates on behalf of clients injured on cruise ships. Our firm handles cases throughout California from offices in Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga, Pleasanton and Inglewood. If you were hurt while on a cruise ship, contact us online or call us at for a free initial consultation.