Miami Maritime and Admiralty Law Attorney Robert C. Gross, P.A. Discusses Some of The Common Perils That Lead to Injuries Aboard Cruise Ships and Other Vessels

Whether you are a crewman covered under the Jones Act or a passenger seeking a luxurious getaway on one of Miami's many cruise ships, you should be aware of the types of accidents that can occur on cruise vessels. As a Miami maritime and admiralty Law attorney who frequently represents crewmembers in Jones Act claims and passengers in their personal injury and wrongful death suits against cruise lines, it is my experience that even the most veteran employees and travelers are unaware of the threats that occur on even routine voyages. The fact of the matter is that most accidents that can occur on land can also happen on the deck or in the cabins of a cruise ship. However, there are a great number of perils that are specific to ocean travel.

Helm and Navigational Changes – Most large vessels—but cruise ships in particular—are designed with stabilizers that reduced the pitching and rolling sensation of sea travel. And while cruise ships rarely travel over twenty-four knots, a sudden change in speed or course can have a dramatic effect on the crew, passengers, and items on board. Individuals can lose their footing and fall into bulkheads; items can fall from unsecured positions or slide across the deck. This attorney has represented an injured passenger where a sudden navigational change created waves from the ships' swimming pools, knocking passengers down and into bulkheads.

Boarding and Disembarking Injuries – Even when a ship is docked in port, gangway injuries occur as passengers embark and disembark. However, when a cruise ship is in shallower waters and must rely on tenders to board passengers, the risk of accidents increases exponentially. In many ports of call, the cruise ship relies on small boats (tenders) and Jacob's ladders to move people on and off the ship and onto land. Some passengers are simply not fit to climb down a ladder and onto a swaying boat deck. Sometimes these passengers slip and fall and hurt themselves.

Disease – No matter how hygienically the crew maintains the ship, if a passenger boards a vessel while carrying a virus, the close quarters of a cruise ship make it likely that the virus will spread to others. Norovirus outbreaks are common aboard ships, and while usually not fatal, can have some very unpleasant symptoms.

Injuries from Assaults and Batteries – Cruise ships frequently underestimate their security requirements. Passengers are sometimes attacked by other passengers or crew. Because of the vague and confusing crime-reporting rules affecting cruise ships, it's difficult to pinpoint an annual number of fights, batteries, and rapes, but they do occur. Sometimes, the cruise ship may bear additional liability because their crewmembers served too much alcohol to the at fault party.

Whether you are a passenger or a crewmember, if you've been injured on a cruise ship, seek medical attention immediately. Then at your earliest convenience, contact an attorney with experience in maritime and admiralty cases. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and lost wages.