Lawyer Sued by Passenger Client for Delaying Lawsuit

The Daily Business Review reports that a Coral Gables lawyer has been sued by a former client who claims he waited too long to file her lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines. In her June 21 lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, Tania Pagliery said she hired Antonio S. Gonzalez to sue the cruise line for a slip-and-fall injury. She contends he promised to move the case forward but did not file a lawsuit, causing her case to be time-barred because no action was taken for more than a year after claims were made with the company. Ms. Pagliery alleges she was further aggravated when Mr. Gonzalez avoided responding to phone calls for months. Ms. Pagliery has hired maritime lawyer Jonathan Aronson to sue her former attorney.

This case emphasizes the fact that cruise line passenger tickets generally have a notice requirement and shortened time of one year to file a lawsuit. Blow that deadline and you blow your case. This case also emphasizes that clients seeking to claim against vessel operators need to seek out an attorney experienced in maritime law or otherwise board certified in admiralty and maritime law.

If you have any questions regarding this article or wish to contact me, you may reach me at miamipandi@comcast.net, motero@houckanderson.com or via LinkedIn at

http://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleoterovaldes.

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