Long Island Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyer
Suffering a sexual assault on a cruise ship is a traumatic experience, and pursuing justice can be legally challenging. A dedicated Long Island cruise ship sexual assault lawyer from our team at Goldstein & Bashner could help you hold the perpetrators and cruise lines accountable. We handle cases under maritime law, federal statutes, and state regulations, seeking compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and more. Our dedicated tourist injury attorneys could provide compassionate, knowledgeable guidance to protect your rights and pursue the justice and recovery you deserve.
Who Is Liable Following a Sexual Assault on a Cruise Ship?
Victims of sexual assault on a cruise ship have legal options to hold one or more parties accountable. Generally, you can pursue claims against the perpetrator, the cruise line, and, in some cases, other responsible parties.
The perpetrator may face criminal charges, and you could seek compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, and lost income via a civil lawsuit. Cruise lines may be liable under negligence or failure-to-protect theories if they knew or should have known about dangerous conditions, inadequate security, or prior reports of misconduct by the same employee or guest. This can include failure to implement safety protocols, insufficient staff training, or poorly lit areas.
Other potentially liable parties may include third-party contractors or subcontractors employed by the cruise line. Maritime law, federal statutes, and state laws often intersect in these cases, making them legally complicated. An attorney who has experience handling cruise ship sexual assaults in Long Island could help you pursue all responsible parties if there is more than one.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
If you were sexually assaulted on a cruise ship, you could claim several types of damages through a civil lawsuit with the help of a Long Island lawyer. Economic damages could compensate for quantifiable losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Counseling or therapy costs
- Lost income
- Any future loss of earning capacity resulting from the assault
Meanwhile, non-economic damages address intangible harms, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, you could also pursue punitive damages if the cruise line’s conduct was particularly reckless or grossly negligent, such as ignoring prior reports of assault, failing to provide adequate security, or fostering unsafe conditions. Maritime law and federal regulations govern the calculation and recovery of damages, and courts often consider the cruise line’s knowledge of risks and the effectiveness of its safety policies. An experienced attorney could help you document your losses and pursue maximum compensation under the law.
Common Challenges
One of the first challenges in a cruise ship sexual assault lawsuit is determining which law applies and in what jurisdiction to file the case. These issues are not always clear, and the cruise ship company can complicate things by inserting a choice of law provision into the contract. It is necessary to sue the liable parties in the proper jurisdiction to prevent the dismissal of the case.
Second, you may experience challenges regarding the preservation of evidence. The incident likely occurred at sea, and the cruise ship company may not be very helpful since they are trying to protect themselves from liability. You may lose access to evidence and witnesses, so it is vital that you immediately contact a Long Island attorney who has experience dealing with cruise ship sexual assaults to begin an investigation.
Contact an Attorney in Long Island if You Were Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship
You could secure justice and accountability from a cruise ship company or other responsible parties when you take legal action after a sexual assault that occurred on board. Due to the legal difficulties involved, it is in your best interests to proceed with the help of an attorney. Call our team at Goldstein & Bashner today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Long Island cruise ship sexual assault lawyer.
