Cruise Ship Injury Attorney in Charleston

Name: Cruise Ship Injuries
Brand: Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm
Rating: 5 (255 reviews)

A cruise is supposed to be an escape: ocean views, nonstop entertainment, and everything handled for you. But when something goes wrong, the fallout can be serious. Injuries on cruise ships often involve complex laws and aggressive defense teams that move fast to protect the cruise line. You deserve a cruise ship injury attorney in Charleston who moves faster. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we stay on the offense to hold powerful companies accountable.

Hold Them Accountable for Every Loss

Even though cruises remain popular, injuries and incidents aboard ships aren’t just rare “bad luck.” Between 2005 and 2019, researchers reported 623 fatalities among passengers and crew on cruise ships. In one specific study aboard a single ship over three years, 663 injuries were recorded, of which 12.5% were serious and required extended recovery.

Cruise ship injuries range from slip and fall accidents on wet decks to foodborne illness outbreaks, recreational activity mishaps, and even crimes or assaults onboard. These cases often fall under maritime law, involve foreign-registered cruise lines, and include ticket contract clauses that limit where and when a claim can be filed. That’s why having a seasoned cruise ship injury lawyer in Charleston is crucial. You need someone skilled at handling the legal complexities swiftly and strategically to secure the compensation you deserve.

Types of Cruise Ship Injuries

Slip and Fall Injuries

Wet decks, spilled drinks, poor drainage, and inadequate lighting make slip-and-fall injuries highly common onboard. These incidents often result in broken bones, head injuries, or spinal trauma that can derail a vacation and trigger long-term medical complications.

Food Poisoning and Illness

Contaminated food, unsafe water, or poor sanitation can lead to widespread gastrointestinal illness. Victims may experience severe dehydration, organ complications, or lingering health issues, especially older passengers or those with compromised immune systems.

Recreational and Activity-Related Injuries

Pools, water slides, fitness centers, rock walls, and onboard attractions carry real risk when poorly supervised or maintained. These injuries can range from fractures and concussions to serious internal injuries requiring emergency medical evacuation.

Medical Negligence Onboard

Cruise ship medical centers are often limited and understaffed. Delayed diagnoses, improper treatment, or failure to escalate care can worsen otherwise manageable injuries, turning minor conditions into serious, life-altering medical emergencies.

Assaults and Violent Incidents

Passengers may suffer physical or sexual assault due to inadequate security, poor monitoring, or negligent crew response. These incidents cause not only physical injuries, but also lasting emotional trauma that follows victims long after the cruise ends.

Common Reasons for Cruise Ship Injuries

Cruise ship injuries rarely happen without warning. In many cases, they stem from preventable safety failures, rushed operations, or decisions that prioritize efficiency over passenger well-being. These are some of the most common causes of cruise ship injuries:

Poor maintenance of decks, stairways, and walkways
Inadequate lighting in high-traffic or outdoor areas
Failure to clean or dry wet surfaces promptly
Unsafe food handling, storage, or sanitation practices
Lack of proper supervision during onboard activities
Defective or poorly maintained recreational equipment
Inadequate security measures or staff response
Delayed or improper medical treatment onboard

Why Choose Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm for Cruise Ship Injuries?

If you suffer a cruise ship injury, you have to deal with a global cruise company that has layers of lawyers, insurers, and fine print to wear you down. Most firms hesitate when faced with cases that involve maritime law and complex jurisdiction issues. We don’t. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we move fast, lock down evidence early, and stay on the offense before the cruise line controls the story. You’ll never be left guessing what’s happening or where your case stands.

Gus Anastopoulo built this firm from the ground up with just grit and pressure. That same mentality drives how we handle cruise ship injury cases today. We dig into ticket contracts, expose safety failures, and push back hard when cruise lines try to hide behind technicalities. You get direct access to your attorney, a full team behind your case, and lawyers who prepare every claim as if it’s going to trial. That’s how we build real leverage.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Cruise Ship Injuries?

Determining liability in a cruise ship injury often involves multiple companies, layers of contractors, and complex maritime regulations that blur responsibility. Our team digs into the facts early by reviewing maintenance records, staffing decisions, security protocols, medical response procedures, and the fine print buried in cruise contracts, to identify exactly where safety failed and who should be held accountable. Depending on how and where the injury occurred, liable parties may include:

The cruise line that owns or operates the ship
Onboard staff or crew members whose negligence caused harm
Third-party contractors responsible for maintenance, security, or medical care
Excursion companies operating off-ship activities
Food service vendors responsible for preparation and sanitation
Equipment manufacturers responsible for defective onboard attractions or facilities

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What Are the Types of Compensation Available for Cruise Ship Injuries?

Cruise ship injuries can trigger months or years of physical pain and financial stress. When negligence is involved, compensation is about more than covering a single medical bill, but about accounting for the full scope of what the injury took from you and may continue to cost moving forward.

We evaluate every angle of loss, so nothing gets overlooked or minimized. Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation may include:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, and future care
Lost income from missed work and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering tied to physical injuries and recovery
Emotional distress and psychological trauma
Costs related to long-term disability or permanent impairment
Out-of-pocket expenses tied to travel, rehabilitation, or accommodations
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, when applicable

Steps to Take Immediately After Cruise Ship Injuries

What you do in the moments and days after a cruise ship injury can directly affect your health, your rights, and the strength of your claim. Acting quickly helps protect all three.

Report the incident to the ship staff and request a written report
Seek medical care onboard and again after returning home
Photograph the scene, conditions, and visible injuries
Identify witnesses and collect contact information
Preserve tickets, receipts, and cruise documents
Avoid giving recorded statements to the cruise line or insurer
Document symptoms, treatment, and recovery in detail
Contact an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer in Charleston promptly

Why Hire a Cruise Ship Injuries Lawyer in Charleston

Cruise ship injury claims are incredibly complex. Maritime law, foreign registration, and tight contractual deadlines give cruise lines the upper hand unless you know how to fight back. A cruise ship injury lawyer in Charleston understands how these cases work from the inside and how to shut down delay tactics fast. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we move fast, lock down evidence, and refuse to let cruise companies hide behind fine print. We help you level the playing field and force the defense to take your case seriously.

Client Testimonials

"Working with this law firm was an absolute breeze. They run their business efficiently, communicate clearly, and make every step quick and easy. The team is professional, reliable...

—Tyana Canty

Gus Law Firm did an outstanding job handling my case! Jotavia was amazing; she went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of and kept me informed every step of th...

—SaNya Grant Paul

Gus and his team kept me informed every step of the way. They truly take the time to understand your case and what you’re going through. Every team member was professional an...

—Rebecca Gates

Gus and his team were excellent. My family was affected by a horrible accident, and his firm stood beside me every step of the way. He and his team went above and beyond expectatio...

—Kathy

My experience was a good one. Everyone was kind and professional, and they handled my case in a timely manner. A great team, and I thank everyone! Highly recommended.

—DN

It was truly an honor for your law firm to represent me in this case. I will be forever grateful to your team for all the hard work they did for me. Thanks and happy holidays!...

—Shawn Davis

I’ve gotten such a good impression of Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm from Jotavia Myers. She’s kind, helpful, and genuine, and it’s easy to see she represents the firm ...

—Deanna Marie

Gus and the entire team were so efficient and professional! I appreciate every effort! They absolutely know what they are doing, and I’m so glad they were representing me! Hi...

—Pam Toledano

Jo has truly done an amazing job helping me with my case to the fullest extent and has made certain that I understand every aspect of my case. She was truly committed to ensuring t...

—Jason Williams

This was by far the best experience I had with a law firm! Jotavia was amazing! They handled everything for me, making it seamless. I was out of the country, and they helped me so ...

—Kia Major

I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal injury law firms near me, I found Gus's law firm, and I’m so ...

—Michael

The lawyers at Gus’s are AMAZING! They went above & beyond for us. My fiancé and I were in a car accident in February, which left us without that car. By the grace...

—Carly McGee

Gus Anastopoulo and his firm were EXTREMELY AMAZING. From start to finish, this law firm was very helpful, professional, and knowledgeable. They assist me step by step, making sure...

—Tamika Moore

I was very pleased with Gus representing me for something that happened suddenly. It was definitely a situation that had me stressed and not knowing what to do, but they were there...

—Tiffany Bredenkamp

I wish I could give this firm a 10-star review! They are extremely responsive, maintain great communication, and care about their clients! The attorneys here not only fight for you...

—Ricardo Prizzie

They took care of all my problems. JP was amazing, very transparent with all the cost upfront and fought hard for my case to go through and win.

— Jovanny Castano

I'm very pleased with Gus and his representation. He definitely dotted all the I's and crossed all T's in my case. He's very kind and Hannah is the sweetest assistant as well. I wo...

—Lora Edwards

Outstanding Car Accident Representation – Highly Recommend! I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal i...

—Michael

Cruise Ship Injuries Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a cruise ship injury claim?

Cruise ship cases don’t follow South Carolina’s standard personal injury timelines. Most cruise tickets include contractual deadlines that can be much shorter than land-based claims and may require formal notice within months. Miss that window, and the cruise line may try to shut your case down entirely. Acting early is crucial.

Does South Carolina law apply to cruise ship injuries?

Not usually. Most cruise ship injuries fall under federal maritime law, not standard South Carolina personal injury law. That changes how fault is evaluated, where a lawsuit can be filed, and what defenses the cruise line can raise. These cases demand a different legal playbook.

Where is a cruise ship injury lawsuit filed?

Many cruise tickets require lawsuits to be filed in a specific court, often outside South Carolina. Some mandate a federal court or a designated venue chosen by the cruise line. We review ticket contracts immediately to ensure your claim is filed in the correct location.

What if I signed a waiver before an activity?

Waivers don’t automatically block your claim. Under maritime law, waivers may be limited or unenforceable depending on how they were presented and what caused the injury. Negligence, unsafe conditions, or failure to warn can still create liability.

Cruise Ship Injury Attorney in Charleston

Hold Them Accountable for Every Loss