Various types of injuries can occur on cruise ships, with some of the most common including broken bones, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In many cases, these injuries result from the negligence of cruise ship crews, passengers, or other liable parties, allowing victims to sue for their injuries and related damages.
To build a case against a negligent party for cruise ship injuries, call Ankin Law today at 312-600-0000 to schedule a free consultation with a cruise ship injury attorney.
Types of Cruise Ship Injuries
There are several common types of cruise ship injuries that can occur, depending on the circumstances. Injuries frequently occur on cruise ships, with one study finding that a single cruise ship observed 663 reported injuries over a three-year period, 12.5% of which were serious.
Some of the most common injuries on cruise ships include:
Broken Bones
Slip and falls and other accidents on cruise ships often result in broken bones and fractures. Hard surfaces, like the deck of a cruise ship and various objects, can easily cause these injuries on impact, but they more frequently occur onshore in locations like streets and motor vehicles.
Spinal Injuries
Serious falls on cruise ship decks from heights and other accidents can also cause spinal injuries that result in partial or total paralysis.
Lacerations
According to the above study’s cruise ship accident statistics, the most common injuries that occurred in three years on the designated cruise were open wounds, i.e., lacerations, accounting for 41.6% of all injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Falls, crashes, and other incidents may cause TBIs that can result in permanent damage to the brain, impacting a person’s ability to function in various ways. Along with spinal injuries, TBIs are among the most common slip and fall injuries.
These and other injuries can take place on cruise ships, but the majority of injuries tend to result during shore excursions from vehicle accidents and other incidents. The many risks involved make it crucial for cruise to implement and enforce effective cruise ship safety protocols.
Causes of Cruise Ship Injuries
There are many causes of injuries that can result from negligence on cruise ships. These causes include:
Slip and Fall Accidents
Many cruise ship injuries result from slip and falls on various surfaces. While the majority of cruise ship-related accidents occur on shore during excursions, slip and falls can also occur on cruise ship decks. For example, crews may clean the deck or other surfaces and neglect to put up signage warning of wet surfaces, leading passengers or others to slip.
In other cases, slip and falls can result from uneven surfaces or ground, in which case a cruise ship may still be liable for poor maintenance.
Crimes Occurring on Cruises
Many types of criminal activity can take place on cruises and cause various injuries. An example here includes a physical altercation between passengers. Crimes like assault can result in everything from lacerations and TBIs, with some incidents resulting in passengers falling overboard.
Illnesses
With as many as thousands of passengers and crew members aboard ships, one of the most common causes of related injuries is the spread of illnesses. For example, a passenger could contract an airborne pathogen during an excursion or prior to boarding the ship, spreading that illness to many others as they remain in the confines of the cruise ship environment.
Pathogens on cruise ships also frequently spread through unsanitary kitchens that culminate in food poisoning incidents affecting hundreds of passengers.
On-Shore Accidents
The majority of cruise ship accidents occur during excursions outside the cruise ship. Many of these involve vehicle accidents while traveling on land. Altercations can also break out between passengers and others during these excursions, which could involve criminal activity.
Fires
When a cruise ship catches on fire, this hazard is far more dangerous than other types of fires. The reason for this is the close confines of the cruise ship and, if the ship is out to sea, the only means of escape is lifeboats, which may not be accessible or may be limited in number.
Fires can quickly spread on cruise ships and trap passengers and crew, which is why cruise ship safety protocols should account for the possibility of fires and provide guidance on escape routes and extinguishing methods.
Can You Sue After a Cruise Ship Injury?
If you or a loved one suffers injuries on a cruise ship and believe a negligent party is responsible, it may be possible to file a claim or lawsuit against the individuals or entities.
In many cases, passengers can sue a cruise ship for slip and fall accidents that result from negligent crews who fail to properly clean or maintain surfaces or warn passengers of hazards. They could also sue crews or cruise lines for other incidents, including those taking place during shore excursions, if they fail to designate or maintain safe areas for passengers.
In some instances, you may also sue other parties, like passengers who commit crimes that cause injuries on a cruise ship or on shore.
In any case, it’s best to consult an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer to help build a case against liable parties. An attorney can work with you to determine the nature of your injuries, identify negligent individuals or entities, and collect evidence to put together a successful lawsuit to recover total compensation.
Compensable Damages in Cruise Ship Accident Cases
There are many damages that cruise ship injury victims can recover in claims or lawsuits.
Specifically, these damages include:
- Economic damages: These damages involve the financial losses resulting from cruise ship injuries, such as medical bills for urgent and ongoing care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and modifications to homes or vehicles to assist disabled individuals.
- Non-economic damages: In many suits, passengers can also sue for emotional distress and other non-economic damages that impact a person’s quality of life, including disfigurement, trauma, and physical pain.
- Punitive damages: In rare instances, it may be possible to sue cruise lines or other parties for punitive damages if they committed gross negligence or malicious acts, but only the courts can award these if a case goes to trial with the goal of punishing defendants.
- Wrongful death damages: If an injury victim dies, the victim’s family may be able to file a suit for wrongful death damages, which can include a combination of economic and non-economic damages accumulated before and following the decedent’s death.
Who Is Liable for Cruise Ship Injury Accidents?
Multiple parties can be liable for cruise ship injuries, depending on the nature and location of the accident.
For instance, liability can fall on:
Cruise Lines
Lawsuits could label cruise lines as defendants if these entities fail to maintain a safe environment for passengers and crew members. They might be negligent if they don’t have sufficient safety protocols in place or if they neglect to properly train or hire crew members.
Cruise lines are responsible for elements that keep cruise ships safe, such as handrails and lighting fixtures that provide sufficient support and visibility. They also need to ensure crews and mechanics properly maintain their fleets to minimize the risk of accidents.
Passengers
Passengers could also be responsible for injuries on cruise ships if their negligence or malicious intent results in them. Passengers are frequently liable for getting into fights or engaging in other injurious criminal activity, including sexual assaults and pushing people overboard. In many cases, alcohol and impairment factor into these incidents.
Ship Doctors
If a physician or other medical staff on a cruise ship work as independent contractors, they could be responsible for medical malpractice if they fail to properly diagnose or treat injuries or illnesses.
Other parties, including third-party contractors, could also be liable for cruise ship injuries, depending on the circumstances. A reliable attorney will be able to identify one or more liable parties in a case, working to recover compensation from each for injuries and related damages.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Cruise Lines and Others
In the event of a cruise ship-related accident and injuries, you may be able to sue for different types of damages. However, it can be difficult to prove liability, especially with various maritime and cruise ship laws affecting each case differently.
To maximize your chances of succeeding with a cruise ship lawsuit, it’s best to work with a knowledgeable attorney who understands the applicable laws and the overall nature of cruise ship accident cases. The ideal attorney will be able to work closely with you to determine what kind of compensation you’re able to recover, collect and organize evidence, and file a claim or lawsuit against all liable parties.
For help with a case from Ankin Law, contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago cruise ship injury attorney.