Written claim notice
Often required within six months under the ticket contract.
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Dallas cruise ship accident Lawyer
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Talk about your cruise injury
Hurt during a cruise trip?
Get help understanding the next step.
An injury on a ship, during boarding or on an excursion can interrupt a holiday and leave you facing treatment and confusing ticket language. Nolan can discuss where the injury happened and which questions need review.
- Review the ticket and travel arrangements for the claim questions they raise, rather than treating every cruise incident like a road crash.
- Examine which party was involved in the injury so onboard, terminal and excursion events are not automatically treated as identical.
Nolan Ryan McConvilleManaging attorney · Licensed in Texas since 2016
Firmwide: 99% win rate.
Firmwide: 99% win rate.
Cruise ship injury cases
Cruise ship injury claims for Dallas passengers
Nolan Ryan McConvilleManaging attorney · Licensed in Texas since 2016Many Dallas families sail from Galveston, and others fly to Florida or overseas to board. When you're hurt on a cruise, the claim doesn't work like a car accident. Your ticket is a contract, and it usually sets the deadlines and the place where you can sue.
Nolan Ryan helps North Texas passengers understand those rules and act on time. You talk with Nolan directly, and he reviews your ticket terms at the start, because some deadlines are much shorter than Texas law allows.
- Free consultation
- No fee unless we recover
- Work directly with Nolan
Have Nolan review the ticket and cruise incident details.
About Nolan Ryan McConville, Texas attorney since 2016 · Updated October 2026
Nolan Ryan McConville
Managing attorney
- Licensed in Texas since 2016
- J.D. cum laude, Texas Tech School of Law
- Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Keep a cruise incident timeline
Use one timeline for the sailing and a separate label for each document or message you already have.
Place the incident
Record the ship, sailing date and whether you were aboard, transferring or on an excursion. Keep the location in your own words.
Match the contact
Beside each report or message, note who received it, when and which incident it concerned. Preserve the original message too.
Mark the time
Copy the time as shown on each record. If clocks or dates differ, flag the difference instead of silently correcting it.
Check your ticket: notice and lawsuit deadlines
Filing the lawsuit
The ticket may require suit within one year.
The required court
The ticket often specifies a federal court, frequently in Florida. Review the actual forum clause.
These are common contract terms. Read your actual ticket promptly; maritime law and claim-specific exceptions can change the analysis. See the federal passenger-contract rules.
Reporting an injury to the crew does not necessarily satisfy the ticket's separate written claim-notice requirements.
Questions about a deadline? Call Nolan at (214) 706-4031
On board
If you're hurt on a cruise
- Report the injury to the crew and ask for a copy of the report
- Visit the ship's medical center and keep the records
- If it is safe, photograph the hazard and surrounding area
- Get names and cabin numbers of witnesses
- Keep your ticket contract and boarding documents
- See your own doctor as soon as you're home
From day one
What Nolan checks first
Nolan starts with your ticket contract, because its deadlines and court requirements shape the claim.
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01Review step
Contract review
He reviews the ticket contract to find the notice deadline, the lawsuit deadline and the required court.
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02Review step
Written notice
He sends written notice of the claim when the contract calls for it.
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03Review step
Preservation letters
He asks the cruise line to keep surveillance video, incident reports, maintenance records and crew statements.
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04Review step
Ship records and coverage
With no police crash report, he gets the ship's incident report and your onboard medical records, and reviews what coverage may apply, including any travel insurance you bought.
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05Review step
Medical records
He gathers records from the ship and from your doctors at home, so the full course of treatment is documented.
The sequence and timing depend on your case, engagement and the records available.
How passengers get hurt
Common cruise ship injuries
Slips and falls
Wet decks, pool areas, stairs and poorly lit walkways.
Shore excursions
Injuries on tours sold by the cruise line, where the tour operator may be a separate company.
Assaults
Attacks by crew members or other passengers, and questions about security on board.
Boarding and tenders
Injuries on gangways or while transferring to and from a tender boat.
Falling objects and equipment
Loose fixtures, deck furniture, heavy doors and elevators.
Why it's different
Why cruise injury cases are different
Federal maritime law usually governs injuries on cruise ships, and cruise lines generally owe passengers reasonable care.
The ticket terms are written for the cruise line.
What the crew knew
The evidence often turns on whether the crew knew, or should have known, about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn you.
Several companies involved
The ship may be registered in another country, crew may be employed by a foreign company, and the excursion operator may be a separate local business.
The ticket contract
It may limit claims in other ways. Sorting out who is responsible, and where you have to file, is the first job.
More even footing
Keep the booking confirmation, ticket terms and messages about your injury together. Include the ship, sailing dates and where the incident happened.
Responsibility
Not every claim is against the cruise line
Others can be responsible besides the cruise line. Nolan looks at each possible defendant and the rules that apply to each one.
Other possible parties
Excursion operators, port facilities and other passengers can be responsible too.
Excursions the line sold
Sometimes the cruise line remains responsible for an excursion it sold, and sometimes it doesn't, depending on the facts and the contract.
Hurt before boarding
If you were hurt in port, such as on a terminal walkway or shuttle, a different company and different rules may apply.
Related cases
Related practice areas
Boating accidents
Slip and fall injuries
Aviation accidents
Wrongful death
Free consultation
Talk to Nolan about your case
There is no cost to talk with Nolan, and no attorney's fee unless money is recovered.
Have your ticket terms, sailing dates and any report or claim correspondence handy. Call promptly even if the cruise line has not sent you its records.
Ask which ticket wording needs attention and which organization received your report. Share any unanswered request from the cruise line; you need not resolve the court or company questions before the conversation.
- Fee agreed in writing
- Phone, video or in person
- You talk directly with Nolan
Your written fee agreement also explains how case expenses are handled.
Your case, handled personally
5 reasons to choose Nolan Ryan
Start with the ticket contract
The ticket can address notice, lawsuit deadlines and the required court. Nolan reviews that contract rather than assuming a cruise injury follows ordinary Texas deadlines.
Separate reporting from formal notice
Telling a crew member about an injury is not necessarily the required claim notice. Nolan reviews the contract and the reports already made.
Seek the ship's records
Surveillance, incident reports, maintenance information and crew statements may help explain the injury. Nolan requests relevant records from the cruise line involved.
Connect onboard and later care
Nolan reviews medical records from the ship and from treatment after returning home, considering the injury documentation across the course of care rather than one visit.
Review the incident and coverage together
An excursion, onboard fall or other injury can involve different parties. Nolan considers the circumstances, ticket terms and potentially applicable coverage, including travel insurance.
Recent Victories
Proven Case Results
Case results are gross settlement amounts from past Nolan Ryan Law cases and depend on the facts of each case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
$10 Million
Major 18 Wheeler Accident Settlement
$12 Million
Construction Accident and Wrongful Death Settlement
$1.5 Million
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
$1,150,000
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
Pre-suit Offer: $0
$775,000
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
$2,100,000
Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Pre-suit Offer: $0
Personal Injury Cases we handle
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you need a team that acts fast and fights hard. Nolan Ryan Law has a strong record of securing significant settlements and verdicts for injured Texans.
We pursue the full compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing while we handle the fight.
Call Us Now
Talk with Nolan Ryan Law about the incident, the records available and your questions. The consultation is free. Fees and case expenses are explained in a written agreement.
- Start with what you know — incident details and report number, if available
- Discuss your questions — evidence, responsibility and possible coverage
- Understand the next steps — consultation and written agreement
- Meet by phone or video — Dallas office meetings by appointment
- Clear expectations — an inquiry does not create an attorney–client relationship
100% Free Case Evaluation
Share the city, what happened and your contact details for follow-up. Start with the information you have.
Testimonials
What Real clients say
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of injuries are common on cruise ships?
Common cruise ship injuries include slips and falls, food poisoning, injuries during excursions, assault or sexual assault, and medical malpractice.
Can I sue a cruise line for my injuries?
Yes, you may be able to sue a cruise line if you were injured due to the negligence of the crew or the cruise line itself.
Do I need a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer to file a claim?
While you can file a claim on your own, it is recommended to hire a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and increase your chances of receiving compensation.
What damages can I receive in a cruise ship injury case?
You may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages depending on the severity of your injuries.
How long do I have to file a cruise ship injury claim?
Your ticket may require written notice within six months and suit within one year in a specified court. Check the actual contract promptly; maritime law and claim-specific exceptions can change the analysis. It's important to contact a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet the necessary deadlines.
What should I do if I'm injured on a cruise ship?
Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the cruise line. Collect evidence such as photographs and witness statements, and contact a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Can I sue a cruise line for COVID-19 related illnesses?
A claim may be possible if legally actionable negligence caused the illness or injury. Liability is not established merely because an illness occurred on board; medical evidence, applicable law, ticket terms and deadlines need review.
What if my cruise ship injury occurred outside of the United States?
An injury outside the United States can still involve maritime law and a ticket clause requiring suit in a particular court. The route, ticket terms, defendant and incident determine which rules apply. Nolan can review those facts and explain which rules may apply.
What is the Jones Act and how does it apply to cruise ship injuries?
The Jones Act permits qualifying seamen to pursue employer-negligence claims. Some cruise-ship crew members may qualify; passengers do not qualify merely because they were aboard.
What if the cruise line offered me a settlement?
It's important to consult with a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer before accepting a settlement from the cruise line. The settlement may not be enough to cover all of your damages, and a lawyer can help you negotiate for a fair amount.
Can I file a class action lawsuit against a cruise line?
A class action requires court certification and may be affected by ticket terms. Similar injuries alone do not establish eligibility. A Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer can advise you on the specifics of class action lawsuits.
How much does it cost to hire a Dallas cruise ship injury lawyer?
Most Dallas cruise ship injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. The fee is typically a percentage of the compensation you receive. Your lawyer will discuss the fee structure with you during your initial consultation.
Where we help: we represent injured people across Dallas-Fort Worth, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Grand Prairie, Mesquite and the other communities we serve. Meet attorney Nolan Ryan McConville.