In Maritime Personal Injury Cases
NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT
NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT
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Injured on a Holland America or Seabourn Cruise?
Your case belongs in Seattle federal court — and so does your lawyer. We’re the local maritime injury firm that knows these courts, these cruise lines, and these cases. Get Your Free Case Evaluation No fees unless we win. Serving passengers from all 50 states.
Statute of Limitations
| 1 Year to File Holland America and Seabourn ticket contracts impose a one-year filing deadline — far shorter than most personal injury cases. Miss this window and your claim is gone forever. |
| Filed in Seattle Federal Court Both cruise lines are headquartered in Seattle. Federal maritime law requires cases to be filed in the Western District of Washington. |
| Admiralty & Maritime Law These cases are governed by federal admiralty law — a specialized area where local experience is the difference between winning and losing. |
Why Your Lawyer’s Location Matters | Your Case Must Be Fought in Seattle — Not in Florida, Texas, or Anywhere Else
Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line are both headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Under federal maritime law and their passenger ticket contracts, all personal injury lawsuits must be filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington — in Seattle. This isn’t optional. It’s the law.
01 The Venue Clause Is Non-Negotiable
Both Holland America and Seabourn include mandatory forum selection clauses in their ticket contracts. No matter where you live — New York, Florida, Texas, California — your lawsuit must be filed in federal court in Seattle. An out-of-state lawyer who files in the wrong court wastes your precious time and may miss the one-year deadline entirely.
02 Federal Maritime Law Is Specialized
Cruise ship injury cases are governed by federal admiralty and maritime law — not state law. The Limitation of Liability Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and the general maritime law of negligence all apply. Attorneys who primarily practice state court personal injury simply lack the federal maritime experience to handle these claims effectively.
03 Local Court Knowledge Wins Cases
Our attorneys practice in the Western District of Washington every day. We know the federal judges, the case management procedures, and the local rules that govern maritime cases. That familiarity is not something an out-of-state firm can replicate — and it matters at every stage of litigation, from discovery to trial.
04 The One-Year Clock Starts Immediately
Unlike typical personal injury cases, which often allow two or three years to file, Holland America and Seabourn ticket contracts reduce the statute of limitations to just one year. If you’re consulting with an out-of-state firm that needs to get “up to speed” on maritime law or arrange pro hac vice admission to Washington federal court, you may lose weeks or months of that precious window.
We Handle Cases Involving | Holland America Line & Seabourn Cruise Injury Claims
Both cruise lines are owned by the same parent company — Carnival Corporation — and both are headquartered in Seattle. We have extensive experience handling passenger injury claims against both fleets, in both domestic and international waters.
Holland America Line Injury Claims
Holland America operates a large fleet of premium and luxury vessels sailing to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, and around the world. With hundreds of thousands of passengers per year, injuries occur on Holland America ships with regularity — and the company’s legal team is ready to minimize your claim from day one.
We level the playing field. We’ve handled Holland America cases involving injuries in Alaska waters, onboard accidents at sea, and incidents in foreign ports of call.
- Slip and fall accidents on wet decks and gangways
- Swimming pool and hot tub injuries
- Excursion and shore tour accidents
- Dining room and galley injuries
- Medical negligence by ship’s physician
- Railing and balcony failures
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Sports deck and fitness center injuries
Seabourn Cruise Injury Claims
Seabourn is one of the world’s most prestigious ultra-luxury cruise lines, sailing to remote and exotic destinations globally. Despite the luxury experience, passengers can and do suffer serious injuries — and the fact that you paid a premium fare does not mean the cruise line takes better care of its legal obligations.
We represent Seabourn passengers who were injured anywhere in the world, bringing their claims to where they belong: Seattle federal court.
- Tender boat boarding and disembarkation injuries
- Expedition and adventure excursion accidents
- Nautical sports and water activity injuries
- Crew negligence causing passenger harm
- Inadequate medical treatment at sea
- Food and beverage contamination illness
- Spa and wellness facility accidents
- Assault, theft, and security failures
The Critical Mistake Injured Passengers Make | Why Hiring an Out-of-State Lawyer Is a Costly — and Potentially Fatal — Error
After an injury at sea, many passengers instinctively call the first personal injury lawyer they find in their home city. It seems logical — they’re local, familiar, and maybe even well-advertised. But when it comes to Holland America and Seabourn injury claims, this decision can destroy an otherwise valid case. Here’s why.
01 They Must File Pro Hac Vice — Which Takes Time
An out-of-state attorney cannot simply walk into the Western District of Washington and file your case. They must apply for pro hac vice admission, hire local co-counsel, and navigate an unfamiliar court system. This process takes weeks — weeks you may not have before the one-year deadline expires.
02 They Don’t Know Federal Maritime Law
Most personal injury lawyers handle car accidents, slip-and-falls, and medical malpractice claims under state law. Federal admiralty law is an entirely different body of law with unique defenses, damage limitations, and procedural rules. An attorney unfamiliar with maritime law may miss critical legal theories — or fall victim to defenses a maritime specialist would easily defeat.
03 They File in the Wrong Court — And Lose Time
We have seen out-of-state lawyers attempt to file cases in their home state courts, only to have the case dismissed for improper venue. By the time the dismissal is appealed or re-filed in Seattle, the one-year contractual deadline has passed. The case is gone. This scenario is not hypothetical — it has happened to real passengers who deserved compensation.
04 They Undervalue the Case
Maritime injury cases can involve international law, foreign port liability, and complex damages calculations not seen in typical personal injury work. Attorneys without maritime experience routinely undervalue these cases or fail to pursue all available theories of recovery — costing their clients real money.
05 They Can’t Investigate Quickly
Evidence on cruise ships disappears quickly. Surveillance video is overwritten. Crew members rotate off the ship. Witnesses scatter to their home countries. A Seattle-based firm can move to preserve evidence and conduct local investigation immediately — an out-of-state firm cannot.
“We’ve seen it happen too many times: an injured passenger hires a lawyer in Florida or Texas, misses the one-year filing window, and loses their case entirely — not on the merits, but on a technicality their attorney should have known.”
– Maritime Injury Attorneys, MARINEINJURYLAW.COM
| Don’t Risk Your Case If you were injured on Holland America Line or Seabourn, you need a Seattle maritime attorney — not a general personal injury lawyer in your hometown. Call us today for a free, no-obligation case review. Speak With a Seattle Maritime Lawyer |
How We Work With You | Simple, Straightforward — No Matter Where You Live
Our clients come from every state in the country. You don’t need to travel to Seattle to work with us — but you need a Seattle firm filing your case.
01 Free Case Evaluation
Call us or submit your information online. We’ll review the facts of your case at no charge and tell you honestly what your options are.
02 Evidence Preservation
We immediately send litigation hold letters to Holland America or Seabourn to preserve surveillance footage, incident reports, and medical records before they’re destroyed.
03 Federal Court Filing
We file your case in the Western District of Washington before the one-year deadline — the right court, the right time, the right way.
04 Fight for Maximum Recovery
We negotiate aggressively — and litigate when necessary — to recover full compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions | What Passengers Ask Us Most
I Live In Florida. Can I Still Hire You?
Absolutely. We represent injured cruise passengers from all 50 states. Because your case must be filed in Seattle regardless of where you live, you actually need a Seattle attorney — and working with us is straightforward regardless of your location. We communicate by phone, email, and video conference.
I Was Injured On A Cruise In Alaska / The Caribbean / Europe. Does It Matter Where My Injury Happened?
No. Holland America and Seabourn’s ticket contracts require that all personal injury claims be filed in Seattle federal court, regardless of where the injury occurred — whether on Alaska cruises, Caribbean sailings, European voyages, or anywhere else in the world.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For A Cruise Ship Injury?
For Holland America and Seabourn passengers, the contractual deadline to file suit is one year from the date of your incident. This is shorter than most personal injury statutes of limitations. Missing this deadline almost certainly means your claim is permanently barred. Contact us immediately — do not wait.
Do I Need To Notify Holland America Or Seabourn Before Filing Suit?
Yes. The ticket contracts typically require written notice to the cruise line within 180 days of an injury. Failure to provide timely notice can jeopardize your case. This is another reason why early consultation with a maritime attorney is essential.
What Damages Can I Recover In A Maritime Injury Case?
Maritime injury victims may be entitled to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability and disfigurement, and the cost of future medical care. The specific damages available depend on the nature and severity of your injury.
What Does It Cost To Hire A Maritime Injury Attorney?
We handle cruise ship injury cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney’s fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no fees if we don’t win your case. Every injured passenger deserves experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Can I Sue Holland America Or Seabourn For A Shore Excursion Injury?
Potentially, yes. When a cruise line sells, promotes, or endorses an excursion, it may bear liability for injuries that occur during that excursion. The analysis depends on the specific facts of your incident. We’ve handled shore excursion injury cases and can evaluate whether you have a claim against the cruise line, the excursion operator, or both.
What If I Signed A Waiver Before The Activity Where I Was Injured?
Waivers are not always enforceable under federal maritime law. Courts apply specific standards to determine whether a waiver is valid and whether it covers the specific negligence at issue. Do not assume a waiver eliminates your claim — let us evaluate it for you at no charge.
Take Action Now – Your Deadline Is Running.
Call Us Today. If you or a loved one was injured on Holland America Line or Seabourn, don’t wait. The one-year filing deadline is absolute. A free consultation costs you nothing — but missing the deadline costs you everything.