What to Do if You Are Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship
Experiencing a sexual assault on a cruise ship is traumatic. The road to recovery often involves high degrees of physical pain and emotional anguish. Still, there are certain actions you may take in the immediate aftermath of your attack that will help you recover financial compensation.
After suffering an assault, it is important to prioritize your wellbeing and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Furthermore, you should attempt to preserve potential evidence and report your incident to the appropriate authorities.
If you were sexually assaulted on a cruise ship, seek help from our cruise ship rape and sexual assault injury attorneys by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 for a free case review.
Steps to Take After Suffering Sexual Assault on a Cruise Ship
Seek Medical Attention
After being assaulted, you should seek medical attention as quickly as you can. You will need medical documentation of the harm you suffered in order to obtain monetary damages from an at-fault party.
Visit the ship’s medical facility or a local hospital at the next port in order to receive prompt treatment. Even if you do not notice visible injuries, you may have incurred internal injuries or sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, sexual assault can produce serious emotional distress. It may also benefit you to visit a mental health professional soon after your attack.
Report the Incident
You should also report your attack to onboard authorities immediately. Ideally, you can obtain a written report of your incident that you may keep for your records.
Once you are back on land, be sure to contact the local authorities at the port or the nearest law enforcement agency. Provide them with all relevant details surrounding your assault and cooperate fully with their investigation.
Gather Evidence
The next step of your potential case will involve gathering evidence. There are multiple types of evidence that may be used to support your case.
Photos from the scene of your accident may be helpful. For instance, if your assault occurred partially because a public area on a cruise ship was poorly lit, then photos of the dimly lit area could be presented to support your case. Additionally, you should take photos of any injuries you suffered because of your assault if possible.
You should also refrain from washing or discarding any clothing you were wearing at the time of your attack. Your clothing may contain evidence of your assault such as bodily fluids or DNA.
If anyone witnessed your assault, then you should try to obtain their contact information if possible. A witness may offer both written and oral testimony in support of your case.
Lastly, your personal recollection of the assault can be very useful. It can be difficult to predict which details surrounding your attack may become important during later stages of your case. Therefore, you may help your lawsuit’s chances of success by recording all of the details you remember while your memory is fresh.
Get in Touch with Our Attorneys
Finally, you should reach out to our cruise ship rape and sexual assault injury attorneys quickly after your attack. We can evaluate the strength of your potential lawsuit and determine the appropriate course of action. We can also gather evidence, file your case, and deal with defendants on your behalf. Accordingly, support from our experienced team can be very beneficial when fighting for the full extent of payment available to you.
What Can You Sue for After Being Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship?
There are multiple ways that cruise ship companies can be held liable for damages related to a sexual assault. The following are all examples of what you may be able to sue for after being sexually assaulted on a cruise ship:
Failure to Provide a Safe Environment
Cruise ship companies have a duty to provide a safe environment for their passengers. If your assault occurred due to dangerous or unsafe conditions on your ship like poorly lit areas, malfunctioning locks, or inadequate of security measures, then you may have grounds to file a claim against the at-fault cruise company. This type of case holds the company responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to their failure to maintain a safe environment.
Poor Training of Staff
After suffering a sexual assault on a cruise ship, you may also be able to sue an at-fault cruise company for poorly training their staff. For example, a cruise ship company may fail to provide thorough training to its staff regarding how to identify and properly respond to signs of harassment and assault. As a result, their crew members may lack the requisite knowledge and skills to prevent such events or react to them. When pursuing a claim based on poor training of a cruise ship’s staff, it can be highly beneficial to demonstrate the defendant’s failure to respond appropriately to previous assaults.
Violation of International Maritime Laws
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may also be able to sue a cruise ship company for violating international maritime laws. Regulations such as those set forth by the Athens Convention and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) establish the responsibilities of cruise ship companies regarding the safety and well-being of their passengers.
Still, international maritime laws can be complicated. Guidance from our experienced legal team can be valuable when determining which laws apply to your case.
Vicarious Liability
Finally, in certain situations, you may be able to hold a cruise ship company responsible for the actions of their staff members, such as the crew member who perpetrated your assault. During a free review of your potential case, our team will determine whether you may hold a cruise company liable for their employee’s misconduct.
If You Were Sexually Assaulted on a Cruise Ship, Our Law Firm Can Help
Seek assistance from our experienced cruise ship rape and sexual assault injury attorneys at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. by dialing (305) 204-5369.
