Cruise ships are a way of life for many Floridians. Not only do we have millions of people depart on cruises from our state each year, but many of our residents work on these ships. Guests and workers alike should not have to worry about getting hurt on a cruise, but we know accidents happen. At Colson Hicks Eidson, we want to discuss a recent story that made national news that highlights the potential dangers for cruise passengers. Our cruise ship accident attorneys have secured millions on behalf of clients harmed by cruise line negligence.
The collision hear around the world
In December, news stations throughout the US began showing a collision that happened in Mexico between two Carnival cruise ships – the Glory and the Legend. The incident involving the world’s largest cruise operator happened near the port of Cozumel. Six people were reportedly injured. The company’s CEO, Arnold W. Donald, says that the injuries all happened as people tried to leave the dining room.
When you watch the footage, you can see just how large and dangerous these ships were. Donald says that the incident likely occurred due to a sudden squall, but that they “will do a deep investigation on this.”
Cruise lines have a duty to ensure that their passengers and employees are safe from the risk of serious injuries. This collision could certainly have been much worse. This is not an isolated incident. Cruise ships collide regularly.
How could a person be injured on a cruise?
There are various ways that passengers could be harmed on a cruise. Aside from collisions, the following are all ways that injuries have occurred:
- Sliding furniture or furniture that breaks
- Swimming pool, water slide, or diving board accidents
- Insufficient security onboard
- Assaults
- Contaminated food
- Onboard fires
- Unsafe conditions such as loose stairs, loose handrails, wet floors, etc.
- Lack of adequate safety equipment
There are also times when cruise lines should be held accountable for incidents that happen as a part of an onshore excursion. These onshore excursions often involve various third-party companies, which can complicate liability. A skilled attorney with experience handling these cases will work to obtain the evidence required to secure the compensation you need.
The Carnival cruise ship collision in December highlights the continual need for cruise ship safety awareness by cruise lines and regulators.
We are ready to help you through this
If you or someone you care about has been injured due to a cruise ship accident, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally recognized firm has extensive experience handling these cases and is ready to get to work securing the compensation you need. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the injury
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Coverage of physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the cruise line
When you need a cruise line negligence attorney in Florida or throughout the US, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
