Going on a cruise can be a great way to enjoy the summer and relax. But, cruises can lead to injuries and other issues. What starts out as a relaxing, fun vacation can turn into an absolute nightmare if you are injured while on the ship. It is important to know that the cruise line you sail with is responsible for your safety while you are on the ship AND in port. This means that if you were injured at any time of your vacation, the cruise company might be responsible.
Determining responsibility for an accident will depend on negligence, just as in any other personal injury case. If you can prove that the cruise line had a duty to you that it failed to fulfill, and you were injured as a result, you might be able to receive compensation. Here is a list of the top three most common accidents that occur on cruise ships.
Food Poisoning
Food poison can be pretty minor, but in some cases, it can become very severe. A small amount of contaminated food on a ship might not seem like a big deal, but in a confined space, it can spread quickly.
Even if your food is not contaminated, the fact that you are in such close proximity with so many other people over the course of your vacation can mean that you will get sick as well, especially if the stomach flu – also called the norovirus – is going around. If you do get food poisoning, you might be able to get a refund from the cruise line, or an attorney can help you recover damages.
Slip and Fall Accidents
I almost had one or two run-ins with slip and fall accidents while on my vacation. This is because there are just so many opportunities for passengers to slip. I mean, you’re in the middle of an ocean! You’re gonna have run-ins with water over time. Maybe the sea is a bit choppy and some waves spray over the side of the boat. Or water from the various pools and hot tubs on the ship spills over the side. Combine these slippery decks with children running around or elderly people trying to get from point A to point B and you’re bound to run into some slip and fall accidents.
Missing Persons
You’ve probably seen news stories about people that go missing on vacations – especially cruises. This can occur if people accidentally fall overboard, get lost on an island, or are not back on the boat before it sets sail for the next port.
These are some of the most common accidents that can happen on a cruise ship, but there are many others. To discuss your situation and determine if you have a case, you should consider contacting an attorney.
