Earlier this year, a Floridian woman filed a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines for an incident that led to serious injuries in the Bahamas. She was on a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas and decided to embark on a safari tour. Tour guides took the guests in a Mercedez-Benz Unimog, a notoriously unsafe vehicle without seat belts. The Unimog flipped over, and the woman was thrown from the vehicle. She suffered multiple broken bones and multiple surgeries for tears and fractures. She was among 10 cruise guests injured on the tour.
Her injuries did not happen on the cruise, but the activity was set up through Carnival. Because of this, she has argued that the two companies are so closely tied that she was not aware that the tour was put on by a separate company.
This is not an uncommon case. Many injured people have the right to, and do, sue cruise companies for setting up unsafe excursions like hers.
If you or a loved one has been injured during a cruise, you may have a lawsuit on your hands, even if it didn’t happen on the boat itself. In fact, any of the following incidents could result in a winning lawsuit that gets you the compensation you need to recover and move on with your life.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are one of the most common types of personal injury cases. When water is involved, slip and fall risks are increased.
Cruise lines are required to have appropriate signage, handrails, and staff on duty who will keep risks down and prevent guests from injuring themselves. If you slipped near a pool, on a staircase, or over the threshold of a cruise ship, you may be able to sue for damages.
Violence or Damage Done by Cruise Staff
Even though you may be on international waters, staff are still subject to laws of assault and battery. If staff are involved in any illegal activity, including using violence or threats toward guests, you may be able to file a lawsuit for the resulting mental or physical damages.
Navigation Errors and Schedule Changes
Not all cruise itineraries go as planned, and not all changes can be resolved with a lawsuit. Weather and emergencies may be out of the cruise line’s hands.
However, if the cruise staff make an error that directly affects your schedule or that prevents you from getting the vacation that you paid for, you may be able to sue and get compensated for the money you spent.
In early May, miscommunication onboard led to a cruise ship crashing at the Tory Channel. Over 100 people were on board at the time, and if any of those passengers or staff members suffer injuries from the incident, they may be able to file a lawsuit.
Other Onboard Injuries
Passengers may sue for a variety of different injuries onboard. Recently, a passenger on a Celebrity Cruise sued the company for damage to his feet. He has argued that due to nerve damage in his foot, he was not able to feel how hot the deck of the cruise was and spent time walking across the ship barefoot. The resulting damage has left him with an amputated toe, severe burns, and more. He has recently sued for $6 million in damages.
Injured on a Cruise? Talk to a Lawyer
Not sure if your cruise injury or illness actually qualifies? The above examples are just that – examples. There are all kinds of ways to be hurt on a cruise, and if it occurred due to the negligence of another, it may be possible to hold them accountable.
Don’t wait to file a lawsuit against the party that was responsible for your injuries. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer with specific experience in cruise injuries and related incidents.
