As the coronavirus pandemic has swept across the United States, we have watched as hospitals fill up with critically ill patients. It was not until March that the US began taking COVID-19 seriously, and some of the earliest cases in this country were on cruise ships. Now, more and more people are filing lawsuits against cruise lines due to the way the companies handled the virus outbreak. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally-recognized team wants to discuss these lawsuits and how they may play out moving forward.
Why are cruise lines facing lawsuits over COVID-19?
We have previously reported that a couple who were on board the Grand Princess cruise ship filed a lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines. They alleged that the company’s gross negligence allowed them to be exposed to the deadly virus.
Now, we are learning of more and more lawsuits being filed against the cruise line. Several claims all seek at least $1 million in damages. The plaintiffs in the case say that Princess Cruise Lines allowed passengers to travel in the Grand Princess cruise ship even though the company allegedly knew that the passengers would be exposed to coronavirus.
A major part of their lawsuit revolves around what happened to another Princess Cruise Lines ship, the Diamond Princess. This was the ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan due to coronavirus even before the Grand Princess left San Francisco. The Grand Princess was quarantined in the Bay Area waters for weeks.
The plaintiffs in the case also echo a case filed against the cruise line on March 9 that alleges that the ship’s staff knew of at least two passengers with coronavirus that had disembarked on a previous voyage.
Covid-19 is having major impacts
Two of the three people in the latest round of lawsuits against the company are elderly, the group of people particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those over the age of 60 or who have the following are most at-risk of becoming seriously ill due to coronavirus:
- Heart disease
- Lung diseases
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune systems
We will get to work helping you today
If you or someone you love has recently been on a cruise line that was affected by the coronavirus outbreak, you may need to seek legal assistance. At Colson Hicks Eidson, cruise ship injury attorneys have vast experience handling cruise ship injury and illness cases. We will get to work investigating your case in order to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This could include:
- Your medical expenses related to the injury or illness
- Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- Possible punitive damages against the cruise line
If you need a cruise ship injury attorney In Florida or anywhere in the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.