Cruise Ship Incident Report Forms
Here are some tips about incident reports and providing a statement of what happened after you get injured on a cruise ship from a Miami cruise lawyer. If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship and the security team or medical staff hands you an “incident report” or “accident claim form” to fill out, be careful—because what seems like a routine step could be a strategic move to limit the cruise line’s liability does the road. It’s actually a good thing if they allow you to fill out your own incident report or statement because sometimes the cruise line will fill it out themselves and just ask you to sign it. Most people don’t even read what they sign, especially in a stressful situation after an injury. When that happens, passengers are really at their mercy. So if the cruise line actually hands you a form and lets you fill it out yourself, still remember anything you say can and will be used against you. You want to be your own best witness.
The first thing to remember is Do Not Balme Yourself for the accident and injury. Not even a little. The cruise line may interrogate you and make you feel like a criminal even though you are the victim. Don’t fall for it. You did nothing wrong. Cruise ships are hot beds of dangerous situations and conditions. We often see that injured passengers get nervous, never having been in such a position before, and say the wrong thing or can’t think straight. This is especially true if they are in pain from the accident or are giving a statement after having already been given pain killers. It’s understandable that someone might be unsure of their rights and are fearful they might get asked to leave the ship if they complain too much or blame the cruise line. But if you are seriously injured because of a dangerous condition on a cruise ship, like a wet floor, you must be clear that there was nothing you could do to prevent the accident.
Second, the incident report or claim form or statement form will normally have a blank section for you to write down what happened. This is your time to explain in your own words won’t only what happened to you, but also why you believe the cruise line is responsible. The form may ask direct questions, and some are designed to get you to shift some blame on your self to be used against you later if you do not answer it a certain way. For example, some forms will ask “who do you blame for the accident?” and they only give you a check box option of “yourself” or “someone else”. But it does not offer the cruise line as a choice. Forms may also ask something to the effect of “what do you think could have been done to prevent the incident?” If you do not answer that, the cruise line will try to use that against you later claiming that closer to the time of the incident, you didn’t think we did anything wrong and that it was not until after you hired a cruise ship attorney did you come up with a theory that the cruise line was at fault. The cruise line may even ask you to take a breathalyzer or blood test if alcohol or drugs are suspected to have been consumed. You can refuse if you have had alcohol but if you have not been drinking then it may actually behoove you to take it. Here’s a short video showing the types of traps they set for inured passengers:
1. Your Statement May Be Used Against You
Cruise lines may present the form as a way to “help you,” but what you write can be used later to deny or reduce your claim. If you unintentionally downplay your injuries or misstate the facts, they can twist your own words against you.
❗Tip: Never admit fault, speculate, or say you’re “okay” if you’re not. And never guess—stick to the facts only.
2. It’s a Legal Document—Not Just a “Formality”
You might be told it’s just routine paperwork. It’s not. That form may become Exhibit A in court. What you write can directly impact your ability to recover compensation.
3. You’re Not Required to Sign Anything Without Legal Advice
Many passengers don’t realize this: You don’t have to sign or submit a written statement immediately. You’re allowed to take time, speak to a lawyer, and then decide how to proceed. You can call or email our office from then cruise ship. We also text. With wifi always available this should not be a problem.
4. You May Be Waiving Key Rights Without Knowing It
Some cruise lines include language that limits your rights—buried in the fine print in exchange for a discount toward another cruise or money back for the current voyage. You could unknowingly release and waive your ability to sue if you accept certain benefits that may be accompanied by a letter or agreement you sign.
5. They Won’t Tell You That You Only Have 6 Months to File a Claim
Under most cruise ticket contracts, you must file a formal notice of NOTICE of your intent to bring a personal injury claim within 6 months and a lawsuit within 1 year. Miss that deadline and your case will be thrown out—even if it’s legitimate, no matter how injured you were and how negligent the cruise line was.
6. They Might Downplay the Seriousness of Your Injuries
Cruise staff might suggest that you’re “fine” or that medical care on board is enough. But some injuries worsen later—and without proper documentation or diagnosis, your claim may be undervalued or not taken seriously because you did not seek early medical treatment.
7. They Won’t Give You CCTV Footage and Scene Photos or the Incident Report
Security footage, witness contact info, photos of the scene—these can vanish quickly. The cruise line controls most of the evidence, and they’re under no obligation to share it unless legally required by a judge after a lawsuit is filed. It can be hard to find a lawyer to accept your case without having some documentation to support your claim. That’s why you should take photos of anything you fill out and ask for your shipboard medical records and statement while you are on the ship if you can. The cruise line does have to share your medical records with you and your own statement but not statements of witnesses or other involved parties
Pro Tip: Take photos, record witness names, and ask to see the incident report before it’s filed and snap a pic.
What Should You Do Instead?
Do not rush to complete the form.
Do not sign anything without legal advice or at least making sure its accurate and can’t be misconstrued against you.
Document the injury thoroughly on your own (photos, witnesses, medical records).
Consult with a maritime personal injury lawyer immediately.
Act quickly—deadlines are shorter than in typical injury cases.
⚖️ Protect Yourself: Call a Maritime Injury Lawyer First
Cruise ship accident cases are governed by maritime law, and they’re stacked in favor of the cruise lines. At Perkins Law Offices, we specialize in holding cruise companies accountable for unsafe conditions, medical negligence, and failure to warn passengers of hazards. Slip and falls, gangway accidents, falling objects, drownings, excursion injuries, tram and golf cart crashes on private islands, excursion accidents, tender b0at injuries, medical negligence, sexual assault and rape by a crew member or another passenger are examples of cases we have handled.
Before you fill out that incident report form, call us. We’ll make sure you don’t say anything that could hurt your case—and that your rights are fully protected.
Need Help Now?
Call Perkins Law Offices – (305) 741-5297
Serving injured passengers across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and cruise ports nationwide
️ Experienced in suing Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC, Princess, Viking, Carnival, Norwegian, and all major cruise line cases
