Recreational Boating and Cruise Ship Accidents
Boating accidents can cause serious injury whether they occur on a cruise ship or a personally owned boat. Unfortunately, during 2019, there were more than 4,100 boating accidents involving recreational boats resulting in more than 2,500 injuries and 600 deaths. Similar statistics are unavailable for cruise lines, but this does not mean those who use a cruise line are free from danger. In fact, cruise line passengers can suffer serious injuries while traveling.
Recreational Boating Accidents
While cruise lines may put you in greater jeopardy because of deliberate actions by others, there are more hazards when you are a passenger in a personally owned boat. Boat operators must travel safely to protect their passengers. In addition, the boat must have the appropriate safety equipment including life jackets for every passenger on board.
Some of the common incidents in which you can suffer an injury include:
- Operator under the influence — just like the operator of a motor vehicle, boat operators have a duty to remain attentive. Alcohol and drugs can impair their judgment putting everyone on board in jeopardy.
- Operating unsafely — while you may not see many speed limit signs on a waterway, there are rules which boaters must follow. An operator who is traveling at unsafe speeds can strike rocks which are hidden, can run aground, or may strike another boat or other water vehicle.
- Lack of operator attention — just like when driving a car, boat operators have a duty to pay attention to what is occurring around them. The leading cause of boating accidents is operator inattentiveness.
- Lack of proper experience — while boaters are not required to have a special license, you want an operator with some experience. Someone without the proper experience may ignore or miss signals of sudden weather changes, be incapable of proper defensive moves in the event of a sudden surge in waves or may be unable to properly maneuver the boat when other water vehicles are approaching.
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Cruise Line Injuries Can Be Serious
When you book a cruise, you are looking forward to a restful, enjoyable time. The last thing you are thinking about is a personal injury which can disrupt your vacation. Some of the accidents which can occur on a cruise line include slipping and falling, and other possible incidents. Some victims reported significant injuries suffered due to negligence and sometimes even intentional violence on cruise ships. Hazards on a cruise line include electrical malfunctions leading to fires, injuries which occur because someone falls embarking or disembarking, injuries caused when using a tender boat, etc. These are just some of the potential issues you could face as a cruise ship passenger. Some of the California personal injury rules which may apply to cruise ship injuries include:
- Inadequate Maintenance – if the cruise line failed to properly maintain carpeting and you fall, they may be held liable for your injuries including pain and suffering.
- Inadequate Security – cruise lines have a legal obligation to keep those who board the ship safe. If security is lax and you suffer an injury as a result of an attack by another passenger or cruise line, the cruise line could be held liable for your medical costs, and other compensation.
- Negligence or Negligent Hiring – if you are on a cruise ship and there is a crash which the operator is responsible for, or if a negligent act or omission of the cruise line staff causes injuries to you or your loved ones, you can hold the cruise line liable for the injuries and losses you suffered. Note that if you suffer an injury because of the action or inaction of a crew member, the cruise line may also be held liable (vicarious liability or respondeat superior).
If you have suffered an injury on a cruise line, you may wish to contact a personal injury attorney if you believe your injury could have been prevented. With hundreds of passengers on board at a time, a cruise line owes every passenger the assurance of being safe from accident or injury. Thus, if you suffered because of the cruise line’s negligence, they can be held accountable.
Compensation for Injury Suffered on a Cruise Ship or Recreational Boat
While not every accident aboard a boat means you are entitled to compensation, if you suffered an accident while on a boat operated by a cruise line or an irresponsible individual, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for the costs you suffered because of the accident. You may be eligible to recover your medical costs and other bills, property damage, lost wages, and other expenses.
California residents should seek guidance from an attorney because there may be additional compensation you may be eligible for, including damages such as loss of consortium and/or love, loss of support and companionship, disability, disfigurement, humiliation, mental anguish, emotional distress, pain, suffering, loss of earning capacity, future medical bills, and many other economic and noneconomic damages.
Getting out on the water is a great way to enjoy warm weather. However, whether you are on a cruise line or you are on a personal watercraft, you have the right to be safe from harm because someone failed to do the right thing. If you suffered an injury while traveling by boat, you should seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling waterway and boating accidents.
