Brais Law Firm

Brais Law Firm Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death lawfirm, specializing in maritime, premises liabilit

If a sexual assault happens on a cruise ship, many survivors are left asking an important legal question: Where does the...
05/28/2026

If a sexual assault happens on a cruise ship, many survivors are left asking an important legal question: Where does the lawsuit have to be filed?

Cruise ship cases are often governed by complicated ticket contracts and federal maritime laws that can limit where and how claims are filed. Missing these deadlines or filing in the wrong court can seriously impact a case.

Our latest blog explains:
⚖️ How cruise lines determine lawsuit jurisdiction
⚖️ Why federal court is often required
⚖️ Important filing deadlines survivors need to know
⚖️ What steps to take after a cruise ship assault

Read more here: https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/where-do-i-have-to-file-the-lawsuit-of-a-r**e-case-that-happened-on-a-cruise-ship/

Many cruise ship assault survivors believe they have no legal recourse once the ship is in international waters. That's ...
05/20/2026

Many cruise ship assault survivors believe they have no legal recourse once the ship is in international waters. That's simply not true — and cruise lines know it.

Under federal law, U.S. jurisdiction can follow you into the middle of the ocean. If your cruise departed from or arrived at a U.S. port — like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral — or if you are a U.S. citizen, the FBI has authority to investigate a sexual assault claim regardless of where the ship was when it happened.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act also requires cruise lines to:
-Report assault allegations to the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard immediately
-Maintain forensic r**e kits and medical protocols onboard
-Preserve surveillance footage and physical evidence

Beyond the criminal side, cruise lines can face civil liability for inadequate security, failure to properly vet crew members, and over-serving alcohol.

One important warning: your cruise ticket contract likely contains a "forum selection clause" requiring any lawsuit to be filed in federal court in Miami — which means you need a maritime attorney, not a general personal injury lawyer.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault on a cruise ship, you have rights. Don't let the cruise line convince you otherwise.

Contact Brais Law Firm for a free, confidential case evaluation: (305) 416-2901
🔗 Read the full article: https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/does-u-s-law-even-apply-in-international-waters-to-a-sexual-assault-r**e-case-on-a-cruise-ship/

If you or someone you love was assaulted by another passenger on a cruise ship, you are not alone — and you have legal r...
05/13/2026

If you or someone you love was assaulted by another passenger on a cruise ship, you are not alone — and you have legal rights.

Many survivors don't realize that cruise lines can be held legally responsible even when the attacker was a fellow passenger, not a crew member. Under federal law (the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act), cruise lines that depart or arrive in the U.S. are required to report serious crimes to the FBI. But cruise lines don't always make that easy. They have brand reputations to protect — and their interests are not the same as yours.

Here's what survivors should know:
✔️ Seek medical attention on the ship as soon as it's safe — a forensic exam preserves critical evidence
✔️ Request that the incident be documented in writing by ship security
✔️ Ask that the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard be notified
✔️ Preserve any evidence you can — photographs, witness contacts, receipts, clothing
✔️ Contact an attorney who specializes in maritime law before speaking further with the cruise line

The legal rules at sea are fundamentally different from those on land. Cruise ticket contracts contain strict deadlines and "forum selection clauses" that can limit where and when you can file a claim. Time matters.

At Brais Law Firm, we offer free, confidential consultations for survivors. You deserve answers — and you deserve justice.

📞 800-499-0551 | braislaw.com

If you are in crisis, RAINN's 24/7 hotline is available at 1-800-656-4673.

If you were sexually assaulted by a cruise ship crew member, you need to know this: under maritime law, cruise lines can...
05/06/2026

If you were sexually assaulted by a cruise ship crew member, you need to know this: under maritime law, cruise lines can be held strictly liable — even if the assault happened off-duty or the company claims they had no idea the crew member was dangerous.

Cruise lines are multi-billion-dollar corporations with aggressive legal teams. They may try to suggest consent, point to alcohol consumption, or drag their feet hoping you miss critical deadlines. Under most cruise ticket contracts, you have just one year to file a claim — and as little as six months to provide formal written notice.

You have rights. You have options. And you don't have to face this alone.
Read our latest blog to understand your legal rights after a cruise ship sexual assault by a crew member → https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/is-the-cruise-line-responsible-if-a-crew-member-r**ed-me/

Confidential, free consultations. No fees unless we recover for you. Call Brais Law Firm at 800-499-0551.

Were You Injured on a Cruise Ship? Here's What You Need to Know About Security Footage.Most people don't realize this: c...
04/29/2026

Were You Injured on a Cruise Ship? Here's What You Need to Know About Security Footage.
Most people don't realize this: cruise lines have thousands of cameras onboard — but they are NOT required to hand over that footage just because you ask.
Here's why that matters if you were hurt on a cruise:
-Surveillance footage can prove exactly what happened — a wet floor, a broken railing, a hazard crew members ignored.
-Cruise lines are private companies. They won't share footage voluntarily — their legal teams know it could be the most damaging evidence against them.
-Most ship camera systems overwrite footage every 7–30 days. If you don't act fast, that video is gone forever.
-Once a lawsuit is filed, your attorney can compel the cruise line to hand over the footage through a legal process called "discovery."
-A Spoliation of Evidence letter sent immediately after your injury puts the cruise line on notice that they must preserve all video. If they destroy it anyway, a judge can instruct a jury to assume the footage hurt the cruise line's case.
One more thing most passengers miss: your ticket contract likely gives you only 1 year to sue and 6 months to file written notice — and most cases must be filed in Federal Court in Miami.
If you were injured on a cruise ship, time is working against you.
Brais Law Firm offers free consultations and works on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
Read the full blog: https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/surveillance-footage-and-cruise-ship-injuries-your-rights-explained/
Call: 800-499-0551

Injured on a Cruise Shore Excursion? Here's What You Need to Know Before It's Too Late.You booked the zip-line, the snor...
04/22/2026

Injured on a Cruise Shore Excursion? Here's What You Need to Know Before It's Too Late.

You booked the zip-line, the snorkel tour, or the catamaran trip through the cruise ship's own app. You assumed the cruise line had your back. Then something went wrong.

Here's what most passengers don't realize until it's too late:

The cruise line almost certainly disclaimed liability for that excursion in the fine print of your ticket contract — even if you booked it onboard.

You may have as little as 6 MONTHS to provide written notice of your claim — and just ONE YEAR to file a lawsuit. That's far shorter than standard personal injury deadlines.

Your lawsuit will likely have to be filed in a specific federal court — usually the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami — regardless of where you live.

But disclaimers don't always hold up. The cruise line may still be liable if they:
-Failed to warn you about known dangers with a tour operator
-Negligently selected a contractor with a history of safety violations
-Led you to believe the excursion was run by the cruise line itself

At Brais Law Firm, we've dedicated our practice to maritime law and cruise ship passenger rights. We know how to investigate foreign tour operators, challenge the "independent contractor" defense, and navigate the strict deadlines in your ticket contract.

If you were hurt on a shore excursion, don't assume the disclaimers end your case. Contact us for a free consultation.

800-499-0551 | braislaw.com

Injured on a cruise ship… but don’t live in Florida?Here’s the truth most passengers don’t realize 👇Many cruise ship inj...
04/15/2026

Injured on a cruise ship… but don’t live in Florida?
Here’s the truth most passengers don’t realize 👇
Many cruise ship injury claims are governed by maritime law, not your home state laws—and your ticket likely includes a forum selection clause requiring you to file your case in Florida.
That means:
✔️ You may NOT be able to sue where you live
✔️ You could be required to file in Miami federal court
✔️ You often have just 1 year to take legal action
Even if the cruise started near you, your rights are controlled by the fine print most people never read.
👉 Don’t assume your location determines your case.
👉 The contract does.
Read more here:
https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/can-i-sue-in-my-home-state-or-do-i-have-to-go-to-florida-if-i-was-a-passenger-injured-on-a-cruise-ship/

🚢 Were you injured on a cruise ship? You may have less time to take action than you think.Most people don't realize that...
04/08/2026

🚢 Were you injured on a cruise ship? You may have less time to take action than you think.

Most people don't realize that cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian bury strict legal deadlines right in your ticket contract — deadlines that could take away your right to compensation if you miss them.

Here's what every cruise passenger needs to know:

⏰ 6 months — You must file a written notice of your claim with the cruise line within 180 days of the accident.
📅 1 year — You have just one year from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Miss it by even one day, and your case is gone.
🏛️ Where you file matters too — Most cruise lines require lawsuits to be filed in a specific federal court, no matter where you live.

The clock starts ticking the moment the accident happens — even while you're still recovering.

If you or a loved one was hurt at sea, don't wait. Read our latest blog to understand your rights, and contact Brais Law Firm for a free consultation.

A cruise vacation should be relaxing—but what happens if something goes wrong medically at sea?Most people assume they c...
04/01/2026

A cruise vacation should be relaxing—but what happens if something goes wrong medically at sea?

Most people assume they can file a standard medical malpractice claim. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Cruise ship medical negligence cases involve:
✔ Maritime law (not typical state law)
✔ Jurisdiction challenges (often involving foreign doctors)
✔ Strict filing deadlines hidden in your ticket contract

In many cases, victims must prove negligence while navigating federal admiralty law—and even determining who to sue can be complicated.

Our latest blog breaks down exactly how to file a medical negligence lawsuit against a cruise ship and what steps you need to take to protect your case.

If you or a loved one were injured at sea, acting quickly can make all the difference.

👉 Read more: https://www.braislaw.com/blog/how-to-file-a-medical-negligence-lawsuit-against-a-cruise-ship/

If you didn’t report a sexual assault on a cruise ship right away, you are not alone—and it may not be too late to take ...
03/25/2026

If you didn’t report a sexual assault on a cruise ship right away, you are not alone—and it may not be too late to take action.

Many survivors delay reporting due to fear, confusion, trauma, or lack of support—especially in the unique environment of a cruise ship, where jurisdiction and evidence can be complicated.

The truth is: you may still have legal options.

At Brais Law, we help survivors understand their rights, even when time has passed. Cruise lines may still be held accountable depending on the circumstances.

👉 Read more about your options here: https://www.braislaw.com/law-blog/i-didnt-immediately-report-a-sexual-assault-that-happened-to-me-on-a-cruise-ship-in-miami-is-it-too-late/

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