Cruise Ship Company Responsibility for Passenger Safety
Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2023 at 7:37 pm
Cruise ship companies are subject to many federal laws that regulate vessel and passenger safety. Personnel on passenger ships are required to have specific safety and emergency training. Cruise ships are obligated to return their passengers to port safely.
Under maritime law, a shipowner owes passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances. Also, cruise ships are considered common carriers, which means they are held to a standard of care to ensure the safety of their passengers.
The Legal Obligations of Cruise Ship Companies for Passenger Safety
Because passengers are paying guests of cruise ships, the cruise ship line and its employees have an overriding duty of care throughout the cruise to keep them safe. They must regularly inspect the ship, remove any hazards, and inform passengers of any remaining threats.
Cruise ships must maintain surveillance systems to detect criminal activities. Cruise ships must also use video technology to detect passengers who fall overboard. When a crime occurs, the cruise ship must report it to the FBI immediately.
Federal law requires operators of vessels carrying 50 or more passengers from a U.S. port to have the financial capability to pay claims arising from passenger injuries or death. However, the law requires the customer to initiate legal action against the cruise line if any of these events occur.
How to Prove Negligence in a Cruise Ship Injury Case
Negligence arises when someone has a duty of care to others. The duty is what a reasonable person would do under the circumstances. If a person fails to meet that duty, they may be liable for negligence. A cruise ship line owes its passengers a duty of care to keep them reasonably safe from foreseeable dangers. If your injuries resulted from the cruise line’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for the losses related to your accident. You must prove the elements of negligence by showing that the cruise line failed to perform a duty imposed by law.
One example of cruise ship negligence is the failure to adhere to an appropriate safety policy or procedure. Another example is the failure to maintain the ship in a reasonably safe condition. For example, the cruise ship and its employees must keep the ship decks dry and safe for passengers to walk on. If they fail to do so, and a passenger slips, falls, and gets a head injury, the cruise ship line may be liable.
How to Hold Cruise Ship Companies Accountable
Never hesitate to assert your legal rights when you have suffered an injury aboard a cruise ship. If you sustained injuries as a result of the cruise line’s negligence, you must hold it accountable. You deserve compensation for the losses caused by the cruise line’s failure to act.
The best way to hold cruise ships accountable for an accident that causes harm is to file an injury claim. A seasoned and knowledgeable cruise ship injury lawyer can help with this. They can ensure that you meet all deadlines and file your claim in the proper court.
The contract terms in your cruise ticket likely only give you one year to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Do not hesitate to act if you were injured on a cruise ship due to the cruise line’s negligence. Taking the time to contact an attorney from the ship immediately after you suffer an injury is in your best interest.
The Role of Safety Standards and Regulations in Cruise Ship Injury Cases
Cruise ships are subject to a long list of federal safety standards and regulations. If cruise line vessels do not adhere to these standards or regulations, this failure to act can serve as evidence of a breach of duty or negligence. If you can prove that the incident that caused your injury is the result of the violation of safety standards or rules, your chances of receiving compensation are substantially better.
An experienced cruise ship injury lawyer familiar with the applicable federal safety rules and regulations can determine when and if a cruise line has violated these standards, has acted negligently, and is potentially at fault for causing an injury.
The Louis A. Vucci P.A. Legal Team Can Help You
If you or a loved one suffered injuries aboard a cruise ship, the legal team at Louis A. Vucci P.A. is here to help. We offer years of experience handling cruise ship cases. Our legal team is standing by to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call (786) 375-0344 today to schedule a free consultation.
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