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Victims of cruise ship accidents, car accidents, railroad accidents, other injuries, and slip and falls often suffer debilitating injuries that can change their lives forever. Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey fights for victims throughout Florida, including Miami, to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Learn more below.
Cruise Ship Accidents
John H. (Jack) Hickey represented cruise lines for 15 years. Now he represents injured passengers and crew members against the cruise lines and owners. Cruise ships are becoming an increasingly popular getaway for people all over the world. The cruise ship industry brings in billions of dollars a year. Despite its success, cruise lines have recently come under fire because of cruise ship accidents onboard. Passengers have become ill because of poor sanitation, and some have suffered personal injury from lack of security or safety precautions. Common cruise ship accidents include assault by crew members or other passengers, food poisoning, sexual battery, slip and falls, trip and falls, and injuries on excursions.
The cruise ship industry has restricted when and where you can place a claim. Those restrictions appear in the fine print of the ticket. For example, many tickets make a stipulation that you must notify the cruise line within a specific time from when cruise ship accidents occur. The ticket may also have a provision that requires you to file your claim within one year of the time cruise ship accidents occur, and they also require that claims be made in a certain state. Because of these limitations, it is important to have representation from an experienced attorney who can ensure you take the necessary steps in case of cruise ship accidents.
Cruise ship lines have a responsibility to make sure there are no dangerous conditions on board that can cause serious injury to its passengers. When cruise ship accidents occur because of poor maintenance, incompetent staff members, or improperly trained employees, the cruise ship owners can be held legally responsible for negligence. Owners can also be held liable for cruise ship accidents that are caused by inadequate safety equipment or emergency precautions. Victims of cruise ship accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you were a passenger and were injured on any ship where the ticket requires that you file suit in Miami, in Miami-Dade County, or anywhere else in Florida, call us toll free at 1.866.523.5072. This would include any accident on board a cruise ship owned or operated by Carnival Corporation (Carnival Cruise Lines), Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, or Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Yacht Accidents
The same laws apply to yacht accidents that apply to cruise ship accidents. In fact, the law makes no distinction between accidents on yachts and accidents on cruise ships. In maritime law, the measure of recovery is dependent on the status of the injured person at the time of the accident. When a passenger is injured, the law of negligence applies; when crew members are injured, the Jones Act, the common law doctrine of un-seaworthiness, and other laws apply. This is regardless of whether the crew member is on a big ship or small vessel.
If you or a loved one has been injured aboard a yacht, contact our Miami, Florida, firm today. Personal injury and maritime lawyer John H. (Jack) Hickey is experienced in all aspects of maritime law and can help you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
Car Accidents
According to Bureau of Transportation statistics, there were 6,606,000 car accidents in the United States in 2002. Of these car accidents, there were 1,804,788 injuries and 20,416 fatalities. Those are startling numbers when you consider how many hours we spend driving. Although most car accidents are just minor fender benders, some are serious enough to cause serous injury and even death. Victims of car accidents that are the result of another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior may be entitled to compensation. Compensation for car accidents may include lost income or wages, medical expenses, repair costs, and pain and suffering.
In order to have a strong case, victims of car accidents need to make sure they gather the appropriate evidence. People involved in car accidents should always collect the names and addresses of the other drivers and their passengers, driver's license numbers, names and numbers of witnesses to the car accident, and the name of the other driver’s insurance company. It is also important to document where the car accident took place and any damages the vehicles sustained. Take pictures. Remember, "A picture is worth a thousand words." In order to obtain compensation, victims of car accidents must also document any injuries they sustained as a result of the other driver’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Railroad Accidents
John H. (Jack) Hickey represented railroads for the first five years of his career. In 2000, the entire United States railroad system encompassed 660 railroads, 220,000 miles of track, 20,000 freight locomotives, 8,800 passenger locomotives (coaches), 1,300,000 freight cars, and 265,000 employees, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Railroad accidents include derailments, collisions with passenger vehicles or other trains, grade crossing accidents, or accidents due to mechanical failure. Railroad accidents can result in catastrophic injury, loss of lives or property, or hazardous material spills. Examples of injuries that result from railroad accidents include, but are not limited to, sprains, fractures, head trauma, brain damage, paralysis, and, in extreme cases, death. Victims of railroad accidents may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, grade crossing railroad accidents are the greatest cause of fatalities and injuries in the railroad industry. In 2000, there were a total of 3,502 railroad accidents at public crossings, resulting in 425 fatalities and 1,219 injuries. It is the railroad’s responsibility to ensure there are appropriate signals and gates at every railroad crossing to avoid serious accidents and injuries. If the railroad fails to provide adequate warnings, they are liable for any injury or death that occurs as a result.
Other Injuries
Injuries on board a cruise line may include, but is not limited to include, rape and sexual assault by other passengers or crew members, cruise line accidents, maritime accidents, and cruise passenger disappearances. See our Injuries page for more information.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured because of another person’s or cruise line’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Cruise Line Assault injury lawyer John H. (Jack) Hickey represents victims of cruise ship assaults and cruise ship accidents all across the state of Florida, including Miami. Contact him today to schedule a free consultation.
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