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Common Cruise Ship Accidents and Injuries
There are many incidents that can leave you and your family injured or in danger on a cruise ship. Here are a few examples of what can go wrong on a cruise ship:
- Shore excursion/recreational activities – Shore excursions are activities or tours offered to passengers that allow them to explore the region (i.e., snorkeling and horseback riding.) A variety of accidents can occur on shore excursions, including slip and falls, automobile accidents, drownings, and more.
- Medical malpractice – Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed by a negligent doctor. This can happen anywhere, even in the middle of the ocean. Every cruise ship is equipped with an infirmary, where passengers can be treated for minor injuries. Ship doctors and nurses working in these mini-hospitals are often contractors, meaning they are not employees of the cruise line. Substandard medical care, denial of access to emergency surgery, or a delay in treatment could lead to severe or permanent damage.
- Assault – There were 39 cases of crimes on the high seas last year involving U.S. citizens, many of them involving physical assault. Without licensed police onboard, crimes often go unreported or uninvestigated. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), sexual assaults are the dominant threat to women and minors on the high seas. Sexual assault is the leading crime reported to and investigated by the FBI on the high seas (comprising 55% of the crimes at sea that are reported to the FBI).
- Negligent operation – Many maritime accidents stem from the negligent operation of the vessel, such as crashes and grounding.
- Slip and fall accidents – This can occur in a variety of situations, one being when an area of the deck is wet. Another issue is passengers falling overboard. Officials do not know why so many ship passengers fall overboard, but it is estimated that an average of 23 people have gone missing after falling overboard annually between 2011 and 2015.
- Fires – A fire onboard a ship can be particularly dangerous because it can cause major damage and provide little chance for escape.
- Lists – A list occurs when the ship is leaning one way or another.
Ship sinking – Sinking cruise ships are rare, but can still happen. - Ship collisions – Although rare, ship collisions do occur and can cause injuries to passengers and crew members alike.
- Food poisoning – The norovirus, a gastrointestinal virus, is the most common cause of illness on cruise ships. Serious illnesses like the COVID-19 coronavirus have also occurred.
Injured On a Cruise Ship? Contact Our Injury Attorneys
Thomas J. Henry Law has assisted victims of all kinds of accidents from across the United States to achieve real results in the form of verdicts, settlements, and judgments. No matter how or where you were injured, our experienced injury lawyers will fight tirelessly on your behalf. In every case, we employ the best expert witnesses in the country to provide invaluable testimony and expert reports that can be crucial in obtaining a positive verdict.
Our attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends to hear your claim. Contact us today for a free case review. If you or a loved one have been injured on a cruise ship, call Thomas J. Henry Law. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide.
