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The Concerning and Undisclosed History of Cruise Ship Accidents and Injuries
When most people think about a cruise ships, they imagine exotic locations, excellent food, and lots of rest and relaxation. Of course, this is exactly how it unfolds for most, but for some, the cruise experience is more of a personal injury nightmare than a vacation. It is most disturbing how few passengers are aware of the risk, and how cruise lines have taken every possible precaution to protect themselves from a lawsuit.
Slips, Trips, and Falls Most Frequent Injuries Aboard Cruise Ships
Although there are other types of personal injuries aboard cruise ships — such as the one suffered by a man who recently was awarded $21.5 million after being hit by an automatic door — the most frequently seen are slips, trips, and falls. Though so underreported that statistics are inconclusive, they are caused by everything from slippery surfaces to objects left in walkways to design issues aboard ships.
Aesthetics Seem to Take Priority over Safety
Cruise ships are more than just floating cities — they are moving, rocking, wet cities. And, unfortunately, a large number of designers seem to have forgotten this in their design of the ships, creating them with slick marble surfaces and dark, slippery stairways. Raised thresholds and other strange design issues only further compound the risk of slips, trips, and falls on cruise ships. Add in the frequently offered “all-you-can-drink” packages offered by many cruise lines, the swaying and rocking of the boat, and the possibility of reckless behavior among passengers, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Cruise Lines Hide behind Foreign Regulations
One of the biggest issues with cruise lines — including some of the most renowned — is that they have registered their businesses outside of the United States. Besides allowing them to pay lower wages and skimp on some of the safety regulations, it also provides them with some protection when it comes to defending themselves against lawsuits. They are also protected by statutes of limitations that often reduce the amount of time a victim has to file a claim against the cruise line. This can make filing a claim against a cruise line a lengthy process and extremely complex.
The Milwaukee personal injury attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, can help. Committed to candid and effective representation of your rights, we offer nearly 50 years of experience in handling personal injury claims. Find out how we can help with your case, schedule your consultation. Call us at 414-271-1440 today.
Sources:
https://projects.propublica.org/cruises/
http://inquisitr.com/2559269/james-hausman-cruise-ship/
