According to the New York Post, a serious safety incident was recently reported on a cruise ship. A passenger was trapped in a water slide and suspended over the ocean. A shocking video of the incident, which occurred on Norwegian’s Cruise Lines, went viral on several social media platforms. Thankfully, the passenger was able to exit the water slide without reported injuries.
Modern cruise ships are equipped with many different attractions—from water slides to dance floors. Cruise companies must ensure that the ship is in proper order. Otherwise serious accidents may occur. Here, our Texas cruise ship accident lawyers discuss the legal duties that cruise liners have to keep their passengers safe and explain your rights if you are hurt while on a trip.
Cruise Ships Must Keep Premises in Reasonably Safe Condition for Passengers
Cruise ship companies that operate in American ports have a legal obligation to keep their premises in reasonably safe condition for passengers. If they fail to do so and a serious accident occurs as a consequence, a cruise liner could be held legally responsible on the grounds of premises liability. Some notable examples of premises liability claims on cruise ships include:
- Slip and fall accidents;
- Swimming pool and water slide accidents;
- Inadequate maintenance;
- Lack of proper training for cruise ship staff;
- Unsafe conditions on balconies; and
- Negligent security (third party assaults).
In order to hold a cruise liner legally accountable through a premises liability claim, a passenger generally needs to prove that their injuries occurred, at least in large part, due the company’s negligence. In cruise ship accident injury cases, negligence is defined as the failure to take adequate health and safety precautions.
Injured Cruise Passengers May be Entitled to Compensation
Following a serious accident on a cruise ship, injured victims need financial compensation to pay their bills and support themselves. Unfortunately, the big cruise liners and their insurance carriers often make it challenging for people to secure the full and just compensation that they deserve. At the Kolodny Law Firm, our maritime accident lawyers help injured cruise ship passengers maximize their financial recovery. Depending on the nature of the accident and your injuries, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for:
- Emergency medical transport;
- Hospital bills and other health care costs;
- Physical therapy and mental health counseling;
- Loss of current and future earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Permanent disfigurement;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death.