Our boat accident lawyers are here to help
Life on a boat comes with an inherent set of risks attached, but those risks are expected to be controlled to help to protect those aboard. Whether you're doing temporary labour aboard a boat, enjoying a cruise as a guest or employed as a permanent member of a crew, companies and operators owe a duty of care to their guests, workers and staff while they're on board.
Accidents on boats and ships can come in many different forms and affect a huge range of people. At National Accident Law, our boating accident injury team specialise in helping victims of ship accidents to get the compensation that they deserve when those in charge have failed in their duty of care.
If you've been the victim of an injury on a ship that wasn't your fault, our lawyers can help. Contact us on , or you can arrange a call back from a member of our expert team.
What types of boat and ship accidents do we cover?
Boat accident compensation claims can cover a broad range of circumstances. At National Accident Law, we can help you with your claim no matter where or how it happened, but some of the main types of support which we provide include:
- Cruise ship accidents: cruise ship compensation claims can be made by guests on a cruise or employees working as part of the crew. If you've suffered an injury while aboard, our cruise ship accident lawyers can help with your claim.
- Cargo ship accidents: maritime workers who work aboard cargo ships face more dangers than most at sea. Shipping companies have a duty to keep their employees safe while working board container vessels. If your employer hasn't fully honoured their duty of care and you've suffered a workplace injury because of it, you may be able to make a claim.
- In-dock accidents: Ship-related accidents don't always happen while the vessel is in use. You may be doing maintenance work on a ship in-dock or boarding a cruise ship when you trip and fall. If that accident has occurred because the operator hasn't protected you properly, you could make a claim.
We deal with boat and ship accidents that occur in both domestic and international waters. Our boating accident lawyers can help to steer you through the legal process and different regulatory bodies that manage these incidents. No matter what sort of boating accident you've suffered or where it was, if you think that it could have been prevented, give us a call and we'll advise you on next steps.
What are some common types of boat accident injuries?
No matter the nature of your injury, our team will be able to help you to understand if you have a claim. Accidents aboard a ship can lead to all sorts of illnesses and injuries, including:
- Slips, trips and falls: slips, trips and falls can occur on-board or in-dock, particularly on slippery decks and gangways.
- Falling objects: falling objects are a serious risk if objects are not properly secured aboard a ship and are a particularly prominent issue in cargo ship accidents.
- Exposure: exposure to hazardous chemicals or extreme temperatures can lead to injury, illness or death. Exposure risk is potentially high in maritime trades and aboard certain (older) ships, with conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and respiratory damage all risk factors.
- Food poisoning and viruses: among the most common of cruise ship injuries are food poisoning and contracting a virus. Although cruise ship injury settlements usually relate to accidents on board, you may be able to make a claim relating to food poisoning or another illness depending on the circumstances.
- Other working injuries: maritime employment carries no shortage of dangers. Depending on the nature of your work, you may face any of the following injury risks: crane and winch accidents, electrocutions, fires and explosions, conveyor belt accidents and vessel sinkings.
Injuries spanning from ship accidents can often be debilitating or life-altering. In many instances, recovery can take months, while long-term or permanent issues are also a risk. Should you have suffered an injury on a ship that wasn't your fault, contact or request a call back for advice on how to make a ship accident compensation claim.
How can a boat injury lawyer help?
Our service is built on a vast network of legal firms and specialists that allow us to offer specialist legal advice in a broad range of topics. That means that, when it comes to ship or boating accidents, we have the network, knowledge and experience in place to give you the right advice and guidance through the legal process of making a boat accident compensation claim.
We offer a confidential, conscientious, no win no fee service with your initial consultation completely free of charge. Following your consultation, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with your claim. If the answer is yes, one of our boat accident lawyers will be assigned to your case and take care of all the legal legwork to progress and realise your claim.
We work tirelessly to get our clients the result that they deserve, taking care of the full legal process while always keeping you in the loop. If you'd like more information around how we can help you with your claim, call us on or arrange a call back with a member of our team.
Frequently asked questions...
No win no fee means you will only pay your legal team if your claim is successful and you are awarded compensation.
If you win your claim, your solicitor will typically make the following deductions from the compensation you are awarded:
- A ‘success fee' for winning the claim.
- The other side will usually be required to make a payment towards your legal costs and expenses but any shortfall may also be deducted from your compensation.
- The cost of the premium for any legal protection insurance you may have needed to ensure your claim is risk free.
You keep the rest and this will always be the majority of the compensation awarded to you. The deductions we list above will only be made when your compensation is paid. There are no upfront costs and no hidden charges.
When you talk to one of our personal injury experts, we can determine if you have the right cover and help you organise insurance before you make a claim.
In most circumstances for adults who were 18 years old or over at the time, it's essential that proceedings are issued within three years of the accident or incident date. In cases where the injured person was under 18 years of age when the accident or incident occurred, the three-year period expires on their 21st birthday.
If you don't issue your claim within those time limits, you won't usually be able to proceed. This is called being 'time-barred'. Extensions to the time limits are only available in exceptional circumstances and we can talk you through these if they're relevant to your claim.
In cases where the injured person was under 18 years of age when the accident or incident occurred, the three-year period expires on their 21st birthday.
If you don't issue your claim within those time limits, you won't usually be able to proceed. This is called being 'time-barred'. Extensions to the time limits are only available in exceptional circumstances and we can talk you though these if they're relevant to your claim.
Why should I claim for a ship accident compensation?
No matter how severe your injury is, there are almost always changes in how you carry on living your life. Injuries spanning from ship-related accidents are often debilitating, with short- or long-term consequences attached. In some cases, injuries or illness can have major implications for your life.
All of the above can come with a physical, mental and financial cost − and you don't deserve to bear the brunt of any of them, especially when the accident wasn't your fault.
We're firm believers in getting people the compensation that they deserve. By pursuing a claim, you'll be seeking out the financial support that you need to make your recovery easier. You'll also be holding accountable those who practice negligible behaviour and encourage better health and safety behaviours for the future.
Contact our team on to find out more.
How much boat injury compensation could I get?
Every boat accident compensation claim is different. When you submit a claim, every element of the incident will be considered, from the severity of your injury through to the potential loss of earnings and required medical care. Your payout will be a custom figure based on all of the above and more.
Our compensation calculator below offers some estimated payout brackets for different types of injury compensation claims based on the the Judicial College Guidelines, as set out by the Ministry of Justice.
If you'd like more guidance on a potential compensation figure for your case, call us on for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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Why choose National Accident Law to help with ship injury compensation?
At National Accident Law, we pride ourselves on delivering top-class legal support to our clients in a straightforward and transparent manner. Our vast network of expertise means that we have the knowledge and experience to achieve results in virtually every area of personal injury law.
We make our claims process as simple as it can be and put you in control of your claim. Exceptional customer care is at the core of what we do, and we promise to handle your case with the sensitivity and compassion it deserves.
Want to find out more about how we can help? Request a call back today.
How to start your claim
If you've suffered an injury on a ship in the last two or three years (depending on your specific claim type) that wasn't your fault, you can start your claim by calling us on now or requesting a call back.
Our process starts with a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our expert legal team. In that consultation, we'll be able to establish the key details of your case and, most importantly, whether we think that you have a viable claim to make.
From there, it's up to you whether you wish to proceed with your claim − we'll never pressure you into doing anything that you don't want to do. If you wish to proceed, we'll get to work immediately on building your case and pursuing the claim, keeping you in the loop every step of the way.
We handle all our claims in a safe, confidential and compassionate environment to ensure that you're treated with the respect, dignity and sensitivity that you deserve throughout our time working with you.
Meet the team
David Griffiths
Senior Litigator
An experienced personal injury litigator, David uses his exceptional technical skills to build the strongest possible claims for customers.
View profileMeet the teamMake a no win, no fee claim for boat and ship injury compensation in the UK
We handle virtually all of our ship accident claims on a no win, no fee basis. That means that you don't pay us a penny for our services until your ship injury compensation claim is a success, making it the most cost-effective and risk-free way for you to move forward with your claim.
In the unlikely event that you can't make a no win, no fee claim with us, we'll advise you on how the full process would work before you submit your claim. Once again, we'll never pressure you to proceed, and you can make an informed decision about whether to pursue your claim on a traditional basis.
Contact our boat accident compensation claims team today
The physical, mental and financial trauma of suffering an injury on a ship can be life-altering. Our experience, expertise and commitment to our service can help you to get the compensation that you need to get your life back on track.
Confidential, compassionate and completely transparent, National Accident Law has been helping ordinary people to get the legal results that they deserve for many years. To find out how we can help you, can call us on or you can request a call back. You can also start your claim online today.