There will be approximately 1.76 million cruises taken by Brits in 2013. If you are or have been one of the lucky 1.76 million, then make sure you know the cruise ship companies owe you a duty of care. Accidents can happen anywhere, and cruise ships are no exception.
The different types of injuries or accidents!
There can be many different types of injuries or illnesses occurring on a cruise ship. This can include slips, trips, food poisoning or contagious diseases. Slips can occur as adverse weather can cause sea water to spray on deck or substances left unattended inside the ship can cause you to slip. Trips can occur on cruise ships as much as on land so anything left sticking out or unnoticed which has caused you to trip may mean that the cruise company has broken their duty towards you.
In addition to the slips and trips, the close proximity of passengers on the ships can mean that an outbreak of food poisoning or a virus can occur. Again, in this instance if the food was improperly prepared, or the hygiene levels were not at an adequate standard then the cruise company can be liable.
How do I know if something was dangerous?
It is not actually up to you (or your lawyers) to say why it was the cruise company’s negligence which caused your injury or illness. This would be the common approach in most normal circumstances on land. On cruise ships it is actually up to the cruise company to say that they had taken all reasonable steps to ensure that they had done everything they could to prevent you from being injured or made ill.
EXAMPLE: Someone slips on an unknown liquid whilst walking onto the deck. If the person then claims then it is not for them to say what they thought the liquid was. It is for the cruise company to identify the liquid, say why it was there and to prove that they have taken all measures necessary to prevent it from being there.
What happens if the accident happened in another country?
The Athens Convention covers claims for personal injury or death on cruise ships or commercial ferries and means that you can bring you claim here in England and Wales. If the case eventually goes to court you can stay in this country rather than travelling to other countries to have your case heard.
How long can I leave it to make a claim?
There is a two year limit on those wishing to make a claim. So if you are reading this and believe that a cruise company were negligent in causing your accident anytime in the last two years then speak to The Injury Lawyers today!
