Although the cruise line industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are still ships sailing the high seas, especially in other parts of the world. For adventurous travelers, the chance to see new parts of the world and explore other countries is alluring right now. With so few vessels at sea at the moment, you’d think that significant accidents would be at a minimum. However, already this year, a cruise ship crashed into the port of Savona while it was trying to execute a docking maneuver. The ship collided with a cargo crane, causing damage to the crane and one of the vessel’s lifeboats. A section of the port side of the vessel also detached from the ship and crashed into the ocean.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is still currently underway but weather conditions at the time were clear. No injuries have been reported from the incident, but accidents such as these in calm and clear weather should make passengers pause and re-evaluate the safety of these mammoth pleasure ships. Between 2005 and 2016, there were 448 major cruise ship disasters. Between 2005 and 2013, 66 of 131 passenger ships were reported to have run aground. Cruise ship accidents are not as uncommon as people think.

While weather conditions and mechanical failures are sometimes to blame, in many cases, accidents come down to negligence and captain error. This was the case in 2012 when the Costa Concordia ran aground just off the Italian coast. That accident killed 32 people. The captain was eventually found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking the cruise liner too close to the shore, then abandoning the ship while passengers and crew members were still on board.

Do Injured Passengers Have Rights?

Yes. Passengers injured in cruise ship accidents where negligence is involved may be able to recover compensation for their injuries and mental anguish. Unfortunately, many passengers are not aware that they have rights and just feel lucky if the cruise line provides them with a voucher for a new trip. If you’ve been injured, you deserve more than just a coupon.

Talking with an attorney that has specific experience handling cruise line accident cases is the best way to assess what your claim is worth. Holding giant cruise line companies accountable for their negligence is not easy. It takes dedication and the right resources. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a positive outcome while sending a message to the cruise line industry that negligence at sea is never acceptable.

Injured in a Cruise Ship Accident? Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. Today

If you’ve been injured in a cruise line accident, contact the law firm of Louis A. Vucci P.A. today to discuss your situation. We have a solid reputation for helping victims recover compensation for their injuries. The case evaluation is free and confidential. Call today at (786) 375-0344 to get started.

In mid-December of 2020, the Norwegian Escape cruise ship reportedly sustained significant damage after colliding with a pier wall in the major Italian cruise port of Civitavecchia, which is a central hub for cruises bound for nearby Rome. As a result of the collision, the ship was damaged on its starboard side.

While this cruise ship accident left a nasty-looking gash that seems quite deep, reports indicate that the damage was confined to areas above the ship’s waterline, so the vessel remains seaworthy. More importantly, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Early reports suggested that the Escape hit a pier wall in Civitavecchia as it was arriving and making its way toward the dock. However, further evaluation showed this was likely not the case. At this time, authorities are not certain what caused the damage but note that the causes of many similar accidents are weather-related.

The Escape’s accident is far from the only pier collision to occur within recent memory. Another notable example from August of 2018 involved the Carnival Horizon sustaining damage after striking Pier 90 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The collision also caused significant damage to the pier, but thankfully, no injuries were reported in this instance either.

What to Do If You Were Involved in a Cruise Ship Accident

Unfortunately, not every cruise ship passenger is lucky enough to avoid physical or psychological injury after a cruise ship accident. While no one ever expects to be harmed during a cruise vacation, cruise ship accident injuries can and do occur as a result of cruise lines’ negligence. Common causes of cruise ship accident injuries include:

• Inadequate or negligent security
• Failure to adhere to appropriate safety policies and procedures
• Failure to maintain cruise ships in acceptably safe conditions

No matter the circumstances surrounding your cruise ship accident, if you were injured on a cruise ship as a result of the cruise line’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and other accident-related losses. To protect your rights, your health, and your ability to recover compensation for the accident, Louis A. Vucci P.A. recommends taking the following simple steps:

• Report your injury – If you were injured as a result of the cruise ship accident, report your injuries to the ship’s crew immediately. If your injuries require medical attention, visit the ship’s medical center for evaluation, too.
• Take photographs – Don’t rely on the crew of the ship to document your accident. Take pictures of your visible injuries as soon as possible, so you have photographic evidence in case you decide to file a claim later on.
• Talk to witnesses – If any loved ones or other eyewitnesses were present at the time you were injured, ask them to provide statements regarding the incident. Make sure to request witnesses’ contact details, too, in case you need to follow up in the future.
• Request copies of your medical reports and other documents – If possible, talk to the ship’s crew or medical center staff and request any medical records, reports, or other personal documents that were generated for your voyage. This kind of documentation often contains important evidence that could support your injury claim.
• Talk to a cruise ship accident attorney – A skilled cruise ship lawyer can help you document your injuries, gather evidence to support your case, and negotiate assertively for the compensation you’re due.

Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. Today

Contact a personal injury law firm that specializes in cruise ship accidents to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation. The cruise ship accident attorneys of Louis A. Vucci P.A. are exclusively dedicated to injury claims involving cruise ship injuries and assaults, and we are standing by to take immediate action in your case.

A recent report indicates that a 2019 incident in which a cruise ship struck the banks near the port of Venice was caused by the captain’s incompetence.

On June 2, 2019, the MSC Opera was maneuvering through the canals of Venice when it struck the banks of the channel. The crash damaged the banks and rammed into a smaller river cruiser, injuring four elderly tourists.

Prior assurances from officials suggested that cruise ships posed no danger to the people or buildings of Venice because the vessels never entered the channels under their own power and were pulled by tugs. However, that appears to have not been the case with the MSC Opera. A report filed by three Italian naval experts with the local public prosecutor indicates that the blame for the crash lies with the Opera’s captain and crew, and that the accident was caused in part because the ship entered the channel while using its own propellers.

The report from the naval experts says the Opera had entered one of the channels in Venice under its own power when the ship’s steering system failed. The report indicates that the captain was notified that the ship’s steering had failed, but the captain failed to notify the channel pilots who had come onboard shortly beforehand.

Furthermore, the captain failed to press a button that would have instantly stopped the ship’s engines, causing it to drift uncontrollably while being pulled by the tugs. Because the ship’s engines were still operating, the tugs could not adequately steer the ship, and one of the lines connecting the cruise ship to the tugs snapped. Once the tugs lost control of the ship, it drifted toward the banks of the canal, where it rammed a river cruiser before colliding with the shore.

Cruise ships passing through the venerable canals of Venice have been a growing concern for local residents and those who wish to protect the city’s historical architecture. Cruise ships bring tourists and lots of money to the local economy, but the Opera crash illustrates the potential dangers these large vessels bring to both people and property alike.

The requirement to have cruise ships pulled through the canals by tugs was meant to reassure locals in Venice that these vessels would not do any harm to their community. If cruise lines and their crews do not follow these guidelines, as in the case of the Opera, then future crashes could do catastrophic damage.

Call Louis A. Vucci P.A. Today If You’ve Been Involved in a Cruise Ship Accident

The case of the MSC Opera shows what can happen when cruise lines don’t take safety precautions seriously. Though the injuries were relatively minor in this instance, these kinds of accidents can cause serious harm to both passengers and crew members, and even get them killed in some cases.

If you’ve been involved in a cruise ship accident, the team at Louis A. Vucci P.A. has the experience and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us today at (786) 375-0344 or visit our contact page for your free initial consultation.