Boat and maritime accidents abroad
Each year thousands of UK holidaymakers choose to take a cruise ship holiday.
If you have been involved in an accident onboard a boat abroad, whether while embarking, disembarking, or during the journey, then you may be able to claim compensation.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to bring a claim in the UK against the tour operator if you are travelling on a package holiday. Bringing a compensation claim in the UK has a time limit of 3 years from the date of the incident.
As the cruise ship industry operates within the jurisdiction of several countries during a trip and travels in international waters, accidents at sea are frequently covered by international conventions.
The Athens Convention is an important international convention which covers many countries, including the UK, and may apply to compensation claims brought by cruise ship passengers. If the international convention applies to an accident at sea then the time limit for bringing a claim is 2 years.
In most cases, it is necessary to prove that the cruise ship is at fault for the incident which causes you to suffer an injury or illness. International conventions usually have precedence over national law, and as they apply to passengers, the position will be different for the cruise line’s employees if they are working on board.
For free advice, contact Bolt Burdon Kemp’s expert personal injury solicitors and let us assess your claim online.
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