Accidents happen on cruise ships…
It’s unfortunate, but there are dozens of ways that passengers can — and are — injured while taking a cruise vacation.
We’ve spoken with passengers who were hit in the head with golf balls from driving ranges on cruise ships. We talked to passengers who had a roof collapse in their cabin or had furniture fall on them.
Many passengers have reported sicknesses due to Norovirus or have suffered because of medical negligence when the cruise line’s medical staff underestimated the severity of an injury.
Read more May 2016: Hundreds of passengers, mostly elderly British passengers struck with suspected Norovirus.
Slip and Fall accidents still leading cause of injury…
When injured passengers reach out to our law firm with questions about their legal rights after an accident has occurred, it’s generally because they’re facing real issues — issues related to the pain and suffering that they may be experiencing due to the injury — issues related to medical bills for treatment and rehabilitation — and issues related to being compensated by the cruise line for their injuries.
What we find are that slip and fall accidents are still the main cause of most injuries. Here are a few actual inquiries we’ve received (just since Feb. 2016):
— I slipped in the Men’s restroom and damaged my L4 spinal area (confirmed via MRI post cruise).
— …broke his leg and chipped his shin bone after slipping between the ladder of the pool and the side of the pool itself.
— My son was injured (broke his elbow) … said that he was running and fell
— I slipped and fell in the sauna room
— I was injured in a fall … cruise line has refused to compensate me
— I was using the outdoor jacuzzi. The crew tried to hurry me out of the tub because they close at 12:00am. As I was getting out of the tub, I grabbed a hold of the slippery handrails and fell back on my head and spine on the step.
— My wife (77 years old) fell while stepping off the tender boat … she cut her leg and received 17 stitches
**Note: It is important to point out that not all injuries are the result of negligence by the cruise line or its employees. Sometimes, accidents ‘just happen’ and there is no basis for legal action. However, it is generally in the best interest of injured passengers to discuss their accident with an attorney if they are unclear about who is responsible and what their legal rights as a passenger may be.
Slip and Fall accidents result in various injuries…
As you can see, passengers are dealing with spinal cord injuries, broken bones, cuts and head injuries.
It’s certainly not what they expected would happen when they first booked their cruise ticket. Like most passengers, their focus was on the excitement and exhilaration that most passengers experience on their vacation.
And that’s why these injuries are so tragic and troubling. Expectations are dashed by injury. A passengers is left hurt, confused and often frustrated because of having to deal with their injury…or the injury to a spouse, child or loved one.
When they reach out the to cruise lines for help or for questions regarding compensation for their injury, they’re often met with ‘stone walling’ tactics and vague information. For someone injured in a slip and fall accident on a cruise ship, quite often the only help they’ll get is from a law firm — and not the cruise line.
What should you do after a slip and fall accident?
After an accident occurs, the best possible thing to do is to seek treatment as quickly as possible.
If you’re still aboard the ship, you’ll want to make sure the accident is reported and/or an accident report is filed. Preferably, you’ll want a copy of that accident report and will want to take photos of the area where the accident happened, as well as get contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
Most often, this does not occur. Most passengers don’t think about their legal rights or financial compensations until days, weeks or even months after the accident.
Bill are mounting. Nagging pains won’t cease. Perhaps you’ve been out of work or your entire life has been turned upside down because of the injury.
Who is at fault? How will I pay these medical bills? These are often the questions that make an injured passenger or their family member pick up the phone and call an attorney. They need help.
Can a cruise injury law firm can help?
The answer to that question is yes.
A cruise injury firm or attorney will be able to answer your questions and help you determine if you have a reason for filing a lawsuit for your injury. The attorney will also advise you of your options if they decide that your accident does not warrant a lawsuit.
If a lawsuit is recommended, the lawyer will then outline their strategy for holding the cruise line responsible for your injury (which would be explained both verbally and in writing once the lawyer if hired to represent you).
For more information and to speak with a cruise ship lawyer, please call Waks and Barnett, P.A. in Miami, FL at 1-800-905-2891.