Port of Juneau/Alaskan Cruise Ship Accidents and Injury Lawyer
Exploring the wild beauty of Alaska through the Port of Juneau is becoming increasingly popular. The port is one of the busiest for cruise lines in the world, hosting 1 million passengers per year. Cruise lines are offering larger and newer ships to meet the increasing demand for these excursions. Unfortunately, as the cruise experience gains popularity, so does the incidence of accident and injury while on a cruise trip.
Many of the incidents that can take place on a cruise ship can be prevented if proper safety measures are taken. If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or injury while on an Alaskan cruise, and someone else was negligent in their duty of care toward their passengers, you may have a case to collect compensation from the responsible party for what you have lost.
Louis A. Vucci P.A. understands the frustration you must feel after your vacation was ruined, especially now that you may be facing the added stress of medical bills and other associated expenses. Call our experienced attorneys immediately for a free consultation to discuss your case. We don’t believe that you should carry the financial burden for someone else’s negligence.
The Port of Juneau
Entering the harbor and experiencing a shore excursion in Juneau, Alaska can offer exciting vacation memories. Juneau boasts an array of adventures, scenery, and landmarks for the traveler to experience. Getting to and from there safely is important to enjoying the memories of your experience.
This port city is completely surrounded by nature and offers excursions to interact or to view the wondrous beauty. Some of the Port of Juneau’s features include:
- Whale Watching – Encounter a humpback whale or a wild orca while on a boat tour of Juneau Harbor.
- Glacier Hopping – Mendenhall Glacier, or Sitaantaagu, in the Tongass National Forest, is just outside of Juneau.
- Dog Sledding – A uniquely Alaskan experience, ride behind a team of huskies through the snowy country.
- Scenic Tours – Take the tram, a helicopter ride, or boat ride to see the mountains, glaciers, and bears around local wilderness areas.
- Adventure Tours – Go kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, ziplining, fishing, or hiking in the rugged landscape.
Unfortunately, as popular destinations become more crowded, tourists can begin to become targeted for crime. Cruise operators have a duty to keep their passengers safe by taking reasonable measures, such as warning passengers of possible hazards they can expect while visiting the shore or going on tours. Such hazards include temperature and weather conditions as well as other personal safety concerns.
If you feel that the crew members of your ocean cruise line failed to warn you of hazards and you were injured, you should discuss your case with an injury attorney as soon as possible. Louis A. Vucci P.A. is experienced with these complicated cases against powerful cruise lines. We offer a free case evaluation and will cover all expenses until you receive a just settlement for the injuries you endured due to someone’s negligence while on a cruise.
Alaskan Cruises
Most of the international lines that offer Alaskan glacier and scenic passage cruises visit the Port of Juneau. There are nearly 60 large cruise ships that regularly make shore stops there. The cruise lines that visit the Port of Juneau include, but are not limited to:
- Alaska Cruises
- Celebrity
- Holland America
- Norwegian
- Oceania
- Princess
- and Viking Ocean
Most of the cruise lines run through the summer and peak in the month of August. Sea-goers can choose one-week, two-week or longer voyages along several different routes up the Alaskan coastline. Cruise ships can hold up to nearly 4,000 passengers.
The vessels that cruise lines provide can be like enormous floating cities. Since passengers are exposed to a very large number of people in confined areas, incidents of crime while on cruises has increased. Sexual assault is the most commonly reported crime aboard ships. Cruise lines have a duty to protect passengers by adopting the best security measures possible to keep them safe from preventable hazards.
Risks Associated with Cruising to Alaska
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports that incidents or accidents involving passenger injuries and/or fatalities are not a common occurrence considering the number of passenger ships sailing worldwide. However, they do advise passengers to consider the potential risks associated with a cruise vacation. The CDC has identified these top possible health and safety risks aboard cruise ships:
- Collisions
- Fire
- Grounding
- High winds and waves
- Incidents
- Mechanical problems
- Natural hazards
- Norovirus
- Personal safety abroad
Many problems during your cruise vacation could actually be preventable with better maintenance, staffing, vessel safety, sanitation, or security. Failing to use reasonable care can contribute to the likelihood that accidents and injuries will occur. An experienced cruise ship injury lawyer can help you clarify whether an incident should have been prevented and was be due to negligence on the cruise line’s behalf.
Weather and temperature make any water-related accidents more dangerous in cold northern waters, so special safeguards have to be in place to prevent such accidents. Storms and climate also subject Alaskan cruises to an increased risk for passengers.
If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, you can get justice and hold them accountable. Louis A. Vucci P.A. understands your fear and frustration and will fight for justice on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation today.
Cruise Ship Safety Standards
The U.S. Coast Guard requires that cruise ships meet the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This and other international regulations address the following safety concerns:
- Vessel Safety
- Crew Member Competency
- Emergency Drills
- Emergency Signage
- Sanitation and cleanliness
- Terminal security
- Financial responsibility
- Safety guides
Note that even though cruise ships aren’t necessarily legally obligated by maritime law to have medical care available, most lines do provide that to meet insurance requirements and commercial standards.
Passengers embarking on voyages should expect a certain level of safety while aboard a cruise ship. If a cruise line does not adhere to these standards, they could be held liable for the injuries caused by their failure to do so.
Cruise lines that practice the highest standards possible in all of these areas will increase the safety of their passengers. There are many ways to make safety accessible to passengers and prevent incidents that cause accidents and injuries. For example, deck plans should be made available online so that passengers can get familiar with them before their voyages.
Common Cruise Ship Injury Claims
Because each cruise line has different policies and each vessel has its unique safety issues, the likelihood of certain types of accidents or injuries varies from ship to ship. Common injury claims resulting from passenger accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Rape and sexual assault
- Negligent security claims
- Assault and battery
- Negligent maintenance
- Water ride injuries
- Dangerous ship-endorsed activities
- Boat transfer accidents
- Alcohol-related injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Excursion accidents
- Missing persons
Common passenger accidents typically happen along the passages, dance floors, decks, and gangways. Slippery surfaces and faulty equipment often contribute to passenger accidents. Cruise ships are legally obligated to provide constant maintenance and adequate supervision of the conditions of the ship.
It is important to discuss your injuries with an accident attorney immediately after your incident. The sooner you gather and evaluate all of the information about your incident and file a claim, the more time you will have to build the best case for the compensation that you deserve and to negotiate the highest settlement.
How Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Louis A. Vucci P.A. Can Help You
Our compassionate legal team specializes in cruise ship accidents and injuries. We understand the trauma that you have experienced out at sea and will work with you to fight for your rights if someone else’s negligence has compromised your or your loved one’s safety.
Because maritime law can be so complex and different legal standards may apply from one case to the next, you need an experienced cruise ship accident attorney to make sure that your rights are protected and those responsible for your injuries are held fully accountable. Cruise ship lawyer Louis A. Vucci P.A. is highly trained to carefully analyze the details of each case and determine the best course of action.
Louis A. Vucci P.A. will be able to build the best case for success. We will aggressively negotiate with the insurance and large corporate teams of lawyers on your behalf for a fair settlement. If you aren’t satisfied with the settlement offer, then our expert attorneys will prove your case in court.
Louis A. Vucci P.A. will cover all costs of the case until we win your settlement. Because of deadlines to file claims and the complexities of any case, don’t hesitate to call our knowledgeable legal counsel immediately for a free case evaluation. We will fight for your right to financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Contact us at (786) 375-0344 for a free consultation.
