There are over 22 million cruise passengers per year leaving U.S. ports. As a result, cruise passengers sourced from the United States accounted for 61 percent of all passengers carried by North American cruise lines. Overall, the growth in the cruise industry in the U.S. rose 2.4 percent to $20.1 billion in 2013.
While this growth is great for the economy, it also means that more accidents and injuries are bound to happen. A cruise should be a relaxing and accident-free experience. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident you may be entitled to compensation. To protect your legal rights and obtain the full compensation that you deserve, it is important for you to contact an experienced cruise ship attorney in New York.
Common Causes of Cruise Line Accidents
Below are some common types of cruise ship accidents:
- Cruise ship collisions: Collisions are one of the most common types of accidents in which human error is the cause. Although certain factors, such as dense fog and mechanical failure, may be contributing factors, these types of accidents are probably the most easily prevented accidents.
- Cruise ship grounding: Cruise ship grounding occurs when a ship comes into contact with the seabed. These types of accidents can result in serious and catastrophic injuries to the passengers and crew members.
- Onboard illness: Cruise ships have confined quarters, which can present ideal conditions for an illness to spread. One common type of onboard illness is food contamination. Food contamination can potentially poison a large number of passengers since they may be eating the same meal onboard the cruise line.
- Assault by crew members: If the cruise line does not provide or implement adequate security, it may lead to attacks on the guests.
- Fire aboard a cruise ship: Another particular hazardous event on a cruise ship is a fire or explosion. A fire or explosion while at sea can cause the vessel to be stranded for a number of days or even cause the ship to sink.
Cruise Ship Accidents Are More Common Than Most People Believe
Accidents can occur aboard a cruise, in cabins or bathrooms, on stairways, or on wet and slippery decks. These accidents can occur because of defective equipment or as a result of the negligence of the crew members. Common injuries resulting from these accidents include:
- Neck and back injuries (including bulging and herniated disks)
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Wrist and shoulder injuries
- Broken body parts
- Concussions and other serious head injuries
- Internal injuries
Call Us Today!
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a cruise ship accident, you may have the right to file suit against the liable party. Our experienced cruise ship accident attorneys in New York can protect your legal rights and get you the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our travel accident attorneys, please call Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.
