On Wednesday October 23, 2013 the U.S. Coast Guard's Miami Sector was called to rescue an injured woman off a Carnival Sensation cruise ship in the waters near the Palm Beach Sea Buoy. The 52-year-old female passenger fell in an elevator and suffered serious injuries to both of her legs. The woman was hoisted off the ship and transported via helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center located in West Palm Beach, where she was listed in stable condition.
Earlier in the year there were several incidents of mechanical failure aboard Carnival ocean liners, including an incident in February when more than three thousand passengers were stranded at sea for four days in the Gulf of Mexico after a fire erupted in the engine room.
Passengers injured on cruise ships have rights
We take cruises to relax and enjoy a fun getaway. Cruises can be dangerous and accidents can and do occur on ships and at port. The cruise ship company is responsible for the safety of its passengers and has a duty to avoid creating or maintaining dangerous conditions on the ship or port. The consequences of an accident at sea or in a foreign territory may be greater due to the inaccessibility of critical medical care. Recovering damages for accidents at sea can be tricky, as the companies often include language on their tickets attempting to limit their liability. There also can be questions about the application of maritime law and laws of foreign countries if the ship is in international waters. This is why it is so important to have an attorney experienced in handing these types of cases.
You may be entitled to money damages
You may be entitled to recover money damages for your pain and suffering, lost income and medical expenses as a result of an accident while at sea or at a cruise-led excursion on land, such as:
- Falls on wet decks and slippery floors
- Sexual assault by a crewmember
- Illness caused by unsanitary conditions or food poisoning
- Injuries caused by equipment failure
If you were injured while on a cruise you have rights and an experienced Florida personal injury attorney can fight to enforce your rights against the cruise ship company and its insurance company.