COVID-19 Exposure

Exposed to COVID-19 on a Cruise? You Need a Skilled Maritime Lawyer

There are few places in the world that have not been hit hard by the novel coronavirus, and people have been exposed in all sorts of places — from restaurants and gyms and hospitals to sidewalks and even inside their own homes. However, there are certain types of places that pose more of a threat than others, and cruises have proven to be particularly dangerous.

Stories abound of cruise ships where people have been quarantined due to COVID-19 outbreaks, and of the disease spreading rapidly. While no official count seems to be available, the Miami Herald has been keeping an unofficial record of the number of cases and deaths. As of April 23, 2020, they had recorded:

• 2,592 total cases of COVID-19 on cruise ships
• 65 deaths from cruise ship COVID-19 cases
• 54 ships that have suffered outbreaks
• 21% of the entire fleet that has been diagnosed with cases

Some of this is by the very nature of cruises themselves. When hundreds or thousands of people are crammed together in a relatively small area, sickness is far more likely to spread. We have been seeing this occur for years on cruise ships with illnesses such as norovirus.

This does not let cruise lines off the hook when they engage in negligent behavior, however. They have a duty of care to keep both their passengers and crew members safe, and that applies to illness as well. They must do their utmost to keep ships clean and disinfected and to follow proper medical procedures when an outbreak does occur.

If your cruise line behaved in a negligent or reckless manner and it resulted in you or a loved one contracting COVID-19, they can be held liable for their actions — and the Florida cruise attorneys at the Winston Law Firm can help.

Why Are Cruise Passengers and Crewmembers Suing Cruise Lines over Coronavirus?

Some have been trying to dismiss COVID-19 lawsuits against cruise lines as a bunch of people who made a choice, got sick because of it, and are now blaming someone else. However, if you look at the actual claims, this is not the case.

In one suit against Princess Cruises, the plaintiffs allege that the cruise giant took them on as passengers right after discharging passengers that had been infected with coronavirus — in effect exposing new people to others who had already been exposed. Princess knew about the danger. The new passengers did not. One of them died.

In another claim, a crew member is alleging that Celebrity Cruises put crew members and others in jeopardy because they “glaringly failed to follow even the most basic safety precautions.” Some of her examples include the fact that the cruise line threw crew parties and mandated ship drills in the middle of the pandemic.

These are not stories of people who got sick and now want to blame someone else for it. They are about an imbalance of power and knowledge and how cruise lines abused those things and, because of this, recklessly put people in danger. Other cases involve more common issues such as poor sanitation or loose disease protocols that furthered the spread of the virus.

At the Winston Law Firm, this is exactly the kind of thing we have worked for years to fight back against, and we have done it with great success. Big cruise lines do not scare us. Rather, we see it as our mission to hold them accountable and make sure that regular people get the justice they deserve.

Can Andrew Winston Help with Your COVID-19 Cruise Exposure Case?

If you or someone you love was exposed to the novel coronavirus due to the negligent actions of your cruise line, you deserve fair and just compensation for everything that you have had to go through.

Here at the Winston Law Firm, we are able to handle all kinds of COVID-19 cruise exposure cases — both from passengers and crew members. Cases we are currently accepting include:

For Passengers

1. Those diagnosed with COVID-19 and suffering:
   • Death, life-altering injury, or long-term hospitalization
   • Quarantine on a vessel, at home, or other (ex. military bases)
   • Some symptoms, but have since recovered
2. Those suffering symptoms of COVID-19, but have no diagnosis (flu-like reaction, fever, runny nose, cough, diarrhea).
3. Those quarantined on a vessel but having no symptoms who have suffered emotional distress and anxiety.
4. Those who traveled after disembarkation, further spreading the virus, which has resulted in emotional distress and anxiety.

For Crewmembers

1. Those diagnosed with COVID-19 and suffering:
   • Death, life-altering injury, or long-term hospitalization
   • Quarantine on a vessel, at home, or other (ex. military bases)
   • Some symptoms, but have since recovered
2. Those suffering symptoms of COVID-19, but have no diagnosis (flu-like reaction, fever, runny nose, cough, diarrhea).
3. Those quarantined on a vessel and still remain on the vessel who are suffering from resulting emotional distress and anxiety.
4. Those who were forced to work despite active cases on board and not given proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
5. Those who were forced to downplay the spread of the virus to passengers
   • What did they know?
   • When did the know?
6. Those who traveled after disembarkation, further spreading the virus, which has resulted in emotional distress and anxiety.

Not sure if your situation fits into any of these categories? Reach out to our office. We offer a free initial consultation where we will evaluate your claim and let you know whether or not we believe it is worth your time to pursue.

Even in a Pandemic, Cruise Lines Have a Responsibility to Keep People Safe

COVID-19 is a crisis the likes of which the world has not seen since the 1918 flu. Hospitals are overcrowded. People are dying. Businesses are shuttering.

Most people and businesses are working hard to act responsibly. They are basing their behavior off of the best science available at the time and doing their utmost to prioritize safety.

However, while we laud those who handle this situation correctly, it is also important to hold bad actors accountable. If your coronavirus-related injuries were due to negligence, mismanagement, or even downright reckless behavior on the part of a cruise line, you owe it to yourself, your family, and the world to fight back.

The knowledgeable cruise ship lawyers at the Winston Law Firm have been dealing with illness and injury cases on cruises for more than a combined 70 years, and they understand exactly what it takes to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Do not delay, though — cruise ship injury cases have a very strict statute of limitations, and if your time runs out, there is little that can be done.

Set up your free consultation today by completing our easy case review form online or calling the Winston Law Firm at 954-606-6606, or toll-free at 866-306-9606.