Vacationing on a cruise ship can often be a luxurious experience, and very few who purchase a ticket expect to encounter injury or harm on their voyage. However, accidents happen, and when they do as a result of the fault of the cruise ship staff, a lawsuit can be filed against the ship itself, or the company that owns and operates it. Through a lawsuit, victims of cruise ship accidents can receive a significant monetary compensation. At one of the top legal groups in the area, Normandie Law Firm, our skilled San Diego cruise ship accident attorneys can assist you in building your case, and file a claim for compensation. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to contact our top-rated San Diego law offices for a free consultation. An accomplished attorney with expertise in cruise ship injury lawsuits can help you with your case.
Cruise Ships
In a lot of ways, cruise ships are like luxury hotels cast out on open seas. They offer plenty of the same amenities like hotels and are expected to offer the same, if not higher, quality of service. However, unlike luxury hotels, cruise ships are susceptible to more dangers that can in some cases be life-threatening to their passengers. Listed below are some of the more popular cruise lines in the United States:
- Azamara Club Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Celebrity Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard Line
- Disney Cruise Line
- Holland America Line
These are just some of the cruise lines that passengers travel with on a regular basis. However, regardless of popularity, every cruise line is expected to host a specific level of safety for all of their passengers. Whenever this standard of safety is disregarded or neglected, it is within the injured passenger’s right to file a lawsuit against the line or company. Regardless of the circumstances of your cruise ship injury, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a qualified maritime injury or cruise ship injury attorney, as the process of filing a lawsuit can be incredibly complex.
Burn Injuries
A burn injury is considered by medical experts to be damage to the layer or layers of skin of a victim. These burn injuries can range from superficial scalding wounds to severe injuries that can be life-threatening if ever left untreated. Burn injuries typically come in four degrees of intensity:
- First-Degree Burns: Typically the mildest, first-degree burns can be often treated with a bit of cold water and burn cream. They often only involve damage of the first layer of skin and are characterized by a slight reddening of the skin. In some, more severe cases, however, it is wise to seek medical treatment for the burn to heal properly.
- Second-Degree Burns: Second-Degree burns involve damage to the upper layer of skin, as well as the layer of skin beneath. These type of burns cause the skin to blister and become red and sore. Blisters can pop open, giving the burn a wet and glossy appearance. It is important to keep the area clean and bandaged properly to prevent infection. Most second-degree burns heal within two to three weeks, and in more severe cases may require medical attention.
- Third-Degree Burns: Often referred to as a full thickness burn, this form of burn destroys the outer and inner layer of skin. Third-degree burns are characterized by a charring and browning of the skin. If you experience a third degree burn medical attention should be sought immediately.
- Fourth-Degree Burns: Fourth-degree burns damage not just the outer and inner layer of skin but also damage deeper tissues like the muscle, tendons, and even bone. These burns are characterized by a black appearance, and in some cases result in a removal of the affected region of the body. Treatment of this burn varies on the severity and location, but all fourth-degree burns should be followed with intensive and immediate medical care.
In most cases, a burn injury will arise as a result of exposure to a thermal heat source; however, burn injuries can also be caused by exposure to harsh chemicals, electrical currents, and even intense light radiation. Regardless of whether the injury was caused by a ship fire, a faulty room outlet, or any other potentially burning source, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation for the damages that you have endured. An attorney who has experience in cruise ship injury cases can assist you.
Assault & Battery
Cruise ships are expected to uphold the safety and security of their passengers. Whenever this level of safety and security is breached, a lawsuit can be filed against the party responsible. Just as cruise ships have to ensure a safe environment for their passengers, they must also upkeep a level of security for them. The assault and battery of passengers can lead to a significantly damaging lawsuit against the cruise ship line or company. Assault is commonly recognized as the threat of bodily harm that causes reasonable fear in the victim. Battery, on the other hand, is the actual physical impact on another person meant to cause harm.
Assault can come in a variety of forms, and one of the most abhorrent is sexual assault. Sexual assault can vary from inappropriate touching to severe acts of sexual attacks, like rape. In most cases, sexual assault victims are left emotionally, mentally, and physically traumatized. In some, more severe cases, sexual assault victims may require intensive hospital care and therapy to ensure some form of recovery. When sexual assault or another form of assault occurs on a cruise ship, it is often considered to be a failure of the cruise ship staff and security, and as such, a lawsuit can be filed against them for the damages. An expert lawyer who has experience handling cruise ship accident claims can help bring you a settlement
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can cause a broad range of injuries from minor bumps and bruises to severe debilitating conditions that can pain a victim for a lifetime. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, however when they occur on a cruise ship due to the neglect of the ship’s staff, then a lawsuit can be filed against them. Bulleted below are some of the common injuries a victim can suffer from a slip and fall accident:
- Head Injuries: Head injuries can range from minor contusions (or brain bruising) to more severe traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. Some TBIs can cause ongoing seizures, mood changes, cognitive impairment and other debilitating symptoms. In most cases, head injuries require emergency room treatment, or hospitalization and in more severe cases can result in death.
- Hip Fractures: Hip fractures often require surgery and extended hospitalization. In some more serious cases, surgery may be necessary to implant an artificial hip. Out of every five hip fracture patients, one of them dies due to their injuries.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Injury to the spinal cord can lead to permanent paralysis, temporary paralysis and other severe neurological and sensory impairments.
- Shoulder Injuries: slip (trip) and fall accidents can result in shoulder dislocations or more severe forms of shoulder injuries called brachial plexus injuries. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that connect the shoulder, arm, and hand to the spinal cord. These injuries are often treated with surgery followed by extensive physical therapy.
- Sprains and Fractures: The force of slipping and falling can cause minor to severe bone injuries. In some cases, the impact of the ground could cause minor sprains, in others; it could cause debilitating bone breakage that may result in temporary disability. Some of the common fractures that victims suffer include hip, spine, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand.
In severe cases, the injuries a victim can suffer from a slip and fall accident can lead to extensive hospital care to fully recover. These treatments can often leave a victim with a significant financial burden to deal with, especially when they are expected to foot the medical bills themselves. For this reason, it is incredibly important that victims of cruise ship slip and fall accidents retain proper legal representation and file a lawsuit for their damages. One of our attorneys with experience in cruise ship accident cases can help you start the legal process.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning or food-borne illnesses frequently occur on cruise lines. This is because the way cruise ship staff tend to prepare and serve food can create optimum conditions for the development and spread of a foodborne illness. Food poisoning is often caused by food that is either poorly prepared or in some way contaminated. In most cases, foodborne illnesses go undiagnosed, as victims fail to seek the appropriate medical attention needed to identify their condition. For this reason, many health care experts believe that foodborne illnesses are far more widespread than they appear to be. Listed below are some foodborne diseases that commonly occur on cruise ships.
- Norovirus: This foodborne illness tends to threaten cruise ships, hospitals, and fine dining restaurants most easily. This is because the way food is prepared and served makes these locations most susceptible to its spread. Norovirus is considered highly infectious and is responsible for over half of all the foodborne illness outbreaks each year.
- E. Coli: This disease is often caused when victims come into contact with the feces of a human or animal. This can occur when food handlers do not properly wash their produce. In more severe cases, E. Coli can cause bloody diarrhea and kidney failure.
- Salmonella: Roughly 1.5 million cases of Salmonella are diagnosed every year. This illness usually shows up in undercooked eggs, raw milk, and poultry. Salmonella is more likely to occur in the warmer summer months than in winter.
- Shigella: This bacterial agent is known to cause severe cases of diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Every year, roughly 450,000 cases of Shigella are documented in the U.S and account for 18-25% of all food poisoning cases. Those infected by Shigella usually experience no symptoms at all but can still spread the bacteria to others.
When proper food preparing procedures are not followed, foodborne illnesses are bound to occur. Cruise line staff are expected to ensure that their food is properly rotated, checked and served. When this expectation is failed, a lawsuit can be filed against the cruise ship or the cruise ship company. Talk to one of our experienced lawyers for more information.
Other Common Injuries that can Occur on Cruise Ships
- Falling overboard
- Drowning
- Bed Bug Bites
- Bed Bug Infestations
- Contagious Diseases
- Injury from Onboard Fires
- Medical Malpractice of Cruise Ship medical staff
- Mechanical Failures
- Theft of Valuables or identity
Filing a Lawsuit Against the Cruise Ship or Cruise Line Company
When filing a lawsuit against a cruise ship or cruise line company, it is essential that you prove the negligence of the ship staff. Regardless of the injuries endured, proving negligence is key to ensuring a successful claim for compensation. The essential elements of a claim of negligence are as follows:
- Duty: The plaintiff (injured or damaged party) must be able to show that the defendant (cruise ship staff or company) owed a legal duty to the plaintiff under the circumstances.
- Breach: The plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant breached that legal duty through a particular action or failure to act.
- Causation: The plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant’s actions or lack thereof caused the plaintiff’s injuries
- Damages: The plaintiff must show that they endured specific damages. This can usually be demonstrated through the presentation of medical bills, medical records, a loss of wages, or a loss of potential income.
Regardless of the particular circumstances of your case, it is vital that you hire a cruise ship accident attorney to assist you in filing a lawsuit. Having a lawyer experienced in cruise ship injury cases on your side can make the difference between collecting the compensation you deserve and having your case dismissed from court.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
If you have been injured in a cruise ship accident, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your damages. Clients who file their claim with our San Diego law firm may see some if not all of the following damages compensable:
- Any Medical Expenses
- Loss of Wages
- Loss of potential wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Trauma (such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc…)
- Punitive Damages
Free Consultation and Zero Upfront Fees
At Normandie Law Firm our skilled San Diego cruise ship accident attorneys are committed to ensuring every one of our clients has the resources to put up a fair fight for their burn injury case. While our attorneys primarily practice in the San Diego area, they also take cases in Riverside, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, and throughout the state of California. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Call now for a free consultation by an experienced attorneys, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
