Boat Ship & Ferry Accident Compensation Claim
NoWinNoFee.com is a claims management company that helps people claim compensation for an accident or injury that wasn't their fault
With no win no fee agreements (also known as a Conditional Fee Arrangements, or CFAs), there are no upfront legal fees, which means anyone who has been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault can gain access to justice without any financial risk. Your solicitor only gets a fee if your claim is successful. If your claim isn't successful, you won’t pay your solicitor any legal fees.
If your case is successful, typically you will pay 25% (including VAT) of your compensation to your solicitor, although they will discuss any fees before starting your case. To ensure your claim is risk free, your solicitor may take out an insurance policy on your behalf. If you terminate the agreement, you may have to pay fees for the time already spent on your claim, or due to: lack of cooperation, misleading your solicitor, missing medical or expert examinations, or not attending court hearings.
There are some instances where you are not required to use the services of a claims management company, and are able to claim yourself, for free, directly via the relevant ombudsman/compensation scheme. These include:
- Criminal injuries: The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (England, Wales, and Scotland) or the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme (Northern Ireland)
- Minor road accidents: The Official Injury Claim Portal
- Accidents involving uninsured drivers: The Motor Insurers' Bureau
Boat Ship & Ferry Accident Compensation Claim
There’s nothing quite like getting out on the open water, is there? Ferries are used as travel vessels, while cruise ships can take you worldwide, making them popular with holidaymakers. However, accidents can happen, and they can have a devastating impact on your daily life. If you’ve suffered an injury, you could claim compensation.
Call now on 0800 234 6438
Make a personal injury claim for a boat, ship or ferry accident
Whether you’re travelling on a boat, ship or ferry or working on one, the operator has a duty of care to protect you and ensure you’re in a safe environment. Injuries caused by transportation can have a significant impact on your life, causing severe injuries that affect your ability to work and perform daily activities.
You have every right to claim compensation if you can prove the operator was negligent. The process can be daunting, but with the proper support, you could receive an award that helps you recover. If you’d like to determine your eligibility for compensation, please call for free on 0800 234 6438 and speak with a trained legal adviser, or use the online form for a callback.
What is a boat, ferry or cruise ship accident?
Boat, cruise ship and ferry accidents aren’t as common as incidents on other modes of transportation, but they can happen. Both passengers and crew members are at risk, depending on the vessel they’re travelling on and what causes the accident.
According to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), there were 38 serious incidents on commercial vessels and 11 serious accidents in 2019. A study published by Research Gate also reveals that while passenger accidents continue to fall each year, incidents still occur.
Why make a boat or cruise ship accident claim?
There are numerous regulations that both commercial and passenger vessels must adhere to, and failing to do so can impact health and safety. They include:
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The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships) (Safety Code for UK Categorised Waters) Regulations 2010.
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The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages)(Amendment) Regulations 2012.
All of these regulations protect the ship’s crew and promote passenger rights. For example, the operator must provide proper training and implement health and safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries.
If the operator fails to perform regular risk assessments and you suffer a boat or cruise ship injury, you can claim compensation and receive a cash settlement. Making a claim can hold the operator responsible and ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
The causes of boat, ferry and cruise ship accidents
It’s important to remember that there are numerous causes of boat accidents, and they don’t necessarily need to be trips or falls. A lack of hygiene or food safety measures can also cause severe illnesses that require hospitalisation.
The most common causes of a ship, boat or ferry accident include:
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Slips, trips, and falls: Accidents involving slips, trips, and falls are the most common incidents as marine vessels can be busy environments.
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Falling items: Luggage and general debris can fall on you when the boat’s sailing over choppy waters. However, the ferry operator should put measures in place to prevent them.
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Food poisoning: Going on a luxury cruise ship means you should get decadent meals. If the food isn’t prepared correctly, you could get food poisoning.
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Allergic reactions: If you’ve told the operator you’re intolerant to some foods, and they serve them anyway, it could cause a severe allergic reaction.
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Scalds and burns: There will be times when the vessel has to navigate tricky waters, and employees should have proper safety training. If they accidentally spill food and drinks onto you, that is negligence.
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Unsafe hazards: Your cabin should be safe for occupancy, but faulty electrics could cause electric shocks.
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Falling overboard: Such accidents are infrequent, but a faulty safety rail or lack of care from the crew could result in you – or a loved one – falling overboard.
Injuries caused by boat accidents
The injuries you might incur from a cruise ship, ferry or boat accident can be mild or severe. For example, a minor slip or fall could cause a fracture, while falling overboard puts you at risk of more serious injuries.
In some cases, fatalities can occur, although these are getting rarer with safety measure improvements. Common injuries include:
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Fractures
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Cuts and lacerations
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Head injuries, such as concussions.
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Food poisoning.
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Allergic reactions – both mild and life-threatening.
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Dislocations.
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Back and neck injuries.
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Paralysis.
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Soft tissue injuries.
The compensation claims process
If you’d like to make a boat, ship, or ferry accident claim, the first step is to call for free on 0800 234 6438 and speak with a trained legal adviser, or use the online form for a callback. Once your adviser knows how the accident occurred and what your injuries were, they’ll decide whether you could receive compensation.
You’ll then be connected to a no win no fee legal service, where a solicitor will argue your case and try to secure you the maximum amount possible.
Using a no win no fee solicitor
Many people make a personal injury claim through a no win no fee service because there are no risks associated with these claims. While traditional solicitors charge an hourly fee, you don’t pay anything with a no win no fee solicitor, as they only receive their payment if they win the case.
There are no guarantees that you’ll receive compensation, but using a traditional solicitor means you could put your finances at risk, ending up worse off than you were before.
Assessing your accident
Your solicitor will want to look at your accident in more detail, including the injuries caused by it and the negligent party’s role. They’ll consider numerous factors when determining how much compensation you deserve and develop a ballpark figure based on that.
Evidence is also vital as it proves negligence and ensures you can hold the operator responsible. The solicitor will gather evidence on your behalf, but you can speed up the claim by ensuring you collect it, too.
Negotiating with the negligent party
Most boat and cruise ship accident claims go through the operator’s insurance company, so your solicitor will negotiate with them to secure compensation. There’s no saying how long the process will take, as it depends on how receptive the insurance company is to your claim.
In most cases, insurance companies will try to avoid court proceedings, but the solicitor will advise you if court is the best option.
The settlement
If your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your personal injury lawyer will take their success fee out of the final amount; then you’ll receive the rest.
It’s then yours to spend on what you want, including replenishing your finances, adapting to your home and paying for private medical treatments.
Gathering evidence to support your claim
While your solicitor will gather evidence on your behalf, it’s always helpful if you secure proof of your own. Not only does this speed up no win no fee claims, but it can also ensure you receive more compensation.
You can collect various forms of evidence, but remember only to do so if it’s safe. Here are the most important forms of proof:
Witness statements
Collecting information from witnesses can help prove your claim, as there will be people there to corroborate your story. Getting contact details of people who witnessed the accident makes it easier for your solicitor to ask for statements.
Accident reports
Boat, ship and ferry operators are responsible for passengers and employees. This includes recording any accident in a log book to ensure a written account of what happened and your immediate injuries. Make sure someone records your accident immediately.
Visual proof
Your boat and cruise ship accident claim can only be successful if your solicitor can prove negligence; visual evidence is integral to that. If possible, you should take photos or videos of the scene, highlighting any uneven floors or hazards.
Medical records
Try to see a doctor or head to a minor injuries unit after your accident to receive treatment for the accident. The insurance provider will want proof of your injuries and how they impact your life, while some might also ask you to attend a medical assessment.
Financial records
Compensation claims include special damages, which refer to any costs associated with your accident. Detailing earnings losses, transportation costs, and other expenses will ensure you get the maximum compensation amount.
How much compensation will I receive?
When you claim compensation, your solicitor will look at various factors when deciding how much you should receive. All claims fall under two categories: general and special damages.
General damages refer to the accident, your pain and suffering and loss of amenity. Special damages include any financial losses that occurred due to the incident.
Due to these factors, there’s no set amount, as your award depends on the extent of your injuries and how they impact your life. You can use a personal injury claims calculator to get an idea of what you might receive, but the lawyer can give you a realistic amount.
Begin your personal injury claim today
Whether a boat, ferry, large or mini cruise accident, making a claim can help you recover financially and hold the operator responsible.
If you’d like to claim compensation for your boat, ship, or ferry accident, the first step is to call for free on 0800 234 6438 and speak with a trained legal adviser, or use the online form for a callback.
Once your adviser learns more about your incident, they’ll tell you whether you’re eligible for no win no fee claims and connect you with specialist solicitors. Remember, claiming compensation won’t make up for your injuries, but it will provide financial support and help you move on with your life.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Most personal injury claims have a time limit of three years, but cruise ships fall under the Athens Convention (2002), which means you only have two years to file for compensation. That’s why seeking legal advice and getting the ball rolling on your no win no fee accident claim is essential.
Can I claim on behalf of a loved one?
Yes, if your child was a boat or ferry passenger and suffered an injury, you can claim on their behalf. It’s also possible to claim compensation if you lose a spouse and the ferry or cruise ship operator is responsible.
However, it depends on the laws, so it’s best to consult a legal advisory service and ask if you’re eligible for compensation.
Why claim on a no win no fee basis?
If you have a serious injury that impacts your ability to work, having to factor in legal fees can be stressful. Traditional solicitors charge an hourly fee; there’s no guarantee they’ll win your case. Simply put, you could end up worse off than before you filed for compensation.
Conditional fee solicitors don’t charge you for their time, and you don’t pay anything if they lose the case. You have complete financial protection and won’t have to worry about anything.
