Cruise ship Injuries and Deaths 

In early April, a San Diego Bay cruise boat crashed into the dock, causing many potentially severe injuries to the boat’s passengers.

In February 2016, Crown Princess returned to its Los Angeles port after a two-week cruise on which 200 passengers contracted Norovirus.

A Canadian cruise ship that hit a wall caused 30 of its passengers to be injured in a June 2015 incident.

In 2012, 32 people died, and hundreds were injured when the Costa Concordia, an Italian cruise ship, ran aground in shallow waters off the coast of Italy. According to news reports, the rock ripped a hole in the side of the hull almost one-third the ship’s length.

In 2011, 12 passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship moored in Gibraltar were injured when a dockside oil tank exploded.

Have you suffered an injury on a cruise? Contact Blumenshine Law Group at (312)766-1000 for expert legal help. Our team is ready to assist you in seeking justice. Call us for a free consultation now.

Injuries and Deaths Aboard Cruise Ships Are More Common Than You May Think

Injuries, diseases, and deaths occurring onboard cruise ships are common. Fatalities due to accidents, medical emergencies, suicide, or foul play are estimated to average over 200 per year on cruise ships worldwide. If you were injured or lost a loved one on a cruise ship, you may or may not be able to collect damages. To be compensated, you must prove the cruise ship owners or operators were negligent and their negligence caused the injury or death. To prove negligence, you must show the cruise line failed to act with “reasonable care.”

In the recent Crown Princess case, those who became ill will most likely be able to collect damages based on negligent sanitary procedures. In the case of the Costa Concordia, the cruise ship company acknowledged liability and made settlement offers to all injured passengers.

Liability is not always clear, and injuries may occur on cruise ships that are not due to any negligence on the cruise line’s part. Just a few weeks ago, the Anthem of the Seas, sailing off the coast of New Jersey, was hit with hurricane-force winds. The captain instructed the 5,000 passengers to stay in their rooms. Tables and chairs flew across rooms. Items fell off of high shelves. Passengers were given a full refund of their fare plus 50 percent off a future cruise. Some passengers on the Crown Princess were injured. Whether or not they will be able to collect for their injuries depends on whether they can prove the cruise ship was negligent in its response to the storm.

Common Cruise Ship Accidents

Other types of injuries passengers may suffer on a cruise ship include:

  • Falling down steps.
  • Slipping and falling on a hazardous deck.
  • Tripping over objects on the walking surface.
  • Assaults by crew members.

Each incident must be investigated. Stairways may be unsafe because of loose railings or steps. Step risers may be the wrong height. A slip and fall may be due to a substance on the deck that was negligently not cleaned up promptly.

The cruise ship line is often not liable for injuries suffered on shore excursions conducted by independent contractors, not cruise ship employees. The independent agency or person who arranged the shore excursion may be liable if you can prove the agency was negligent and its negligence was the cause of your injury.

Repatriation for a Passenger Who Died on a Cruise Ship

This is a critical and sensitive topic. When a passenger tragically passes away on a cruise, the process of repatriating their remains to their home country can be complex and emotionally taxing for the family. The legal aspects surrounding repatriation involve navigating international laws and cruise ship policies. It’s essential for the family to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney who understands the intricacies of maritime law and can ensure that the process is handled respectfully, efficiently, and in accordance with the family’s wishes and legal rights. For more information, contact Blumenshine Law Group.

How a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Can Help

Multiple issues must be investigated after cruise ship injuries that are not encountered in an ordinary personal injury case. A major issue is where to file the lawsuit. A Chicago cruise ship injury attorney will review all documents you signed and determine if you “agreed” when buying the ticket to file a lawsuit in a certain court. Your attorney will also obtain discovery concerning the cruise line’s history of negligence and other accidents similar to yours.

We concentrate on cruise ship injury and death claims. If you were injured on a cruise ship or a loved one passed away, call or text the Blumenshine Law Group at (312)766-1000 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.

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