Cruise ships are a very popular vacation option that attract an estimated 12 million people every year. Like any vacation, however, there are risks involved to the safety of those who choose to take a cruise. Once out to sea, there are many problems which may arise and fewer options to remedy them. In addition, a great deal of those who choose cruise ships as their vacation of choice are elderly and more susceptible to certain types of injuries. A cruise ship accident lawyer is essential in determining whether a cruise line company is liable for any harm that may come to a passenger or their loved ones.
There are many things that can happen when one is at sea. Injuries, assaults and even death may occur due to accident or negligence. Sickness may result from a cruise line not adhering to proper health standards. Some suffer from allergic reactions to the food served on board, often after implicitly informing cruise ship personnel of their allergies. Other people on board a ship, whether passengers or crew members, can present dangers to vacationers if not properly dealt with by cruise line security. Even more potential issues present themselves when one is at port, many of which a cruise line may be liable for.
The laws at sea regarding liability can be quite complicated, requiring a cruise ship accident lawyer that fully understands the differences. Whether one is in foreign waters or U.S. waters, and where the cruise line operates out of can greatly impact the laws in place. This tangle of laws can often make it difficult to ascertain whether one has a legitimate case or not. A lawyer will be able to gather the necessary details and find which laws apply for any given case.
Accidents aboard cruise ships are not just limited to passengers either. Laws are in place to protect both permanent and temporary employees aboard a ship. Many temporary employees are younger and have only a limited understand of their rights, which makes the addition of a cruise ship accident lawyer even more vital. It is important that the cruise line is keeping up with their health and safety standards for those who work for them as well as the passengers.
Relatives of those who have suffered death while on a cruise ship should also consider looking into the legal obligations of the cruise line concerning their loved ones. It is not only those who are injured that suffer and the expenses which go along with the grief of losing a loved one can become overwhelming. A good cruise ship accident lawyer can take much of the pressure off following this traumatic event.
Due to the way laws affect the statue of limitations on accidents which occur at sea, it is important that one enlists the aid of a lawyer as soon as possible. Many cruise lines base themselves out of certain ports specifically because the statute is shorter than elsewhere. Some companies may attempt to protect themselves by requiring passengers to sign a legal contract and willingly shorten the statute before they can take their vacation. Cruise ship accident lawyers can step in and get things done in a timely manner to ensure that these important time limits do not pass one by.
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Three Crew Killed in Egypt Cruise Ship Accident
An Italian luxury cruise ship crashed into a pier at the Red Sea port of Sharm El Sheik early today while attempting to dock in very rough weather.
Three crew members aboard the ship were killed in the accident and a fourth crew member and three passengers were slightly injured, according to Costa Crociere, the owner of the luxury liner Costa Europa.
The injured passengers included two British and one Italian citizen. They were taken to an Egyptian hospital for a check-up, and released soon after, according to a spokesperson for Costa Crociere.
Costa Crociere would not comment on the nationality of the dead sailors, but local media reports said two were Indian and one was Brazilian.
The cruise company could also not say exactly where on the ship the sailors were when it crashed. An investigation is underway, they said.
According to a statement released by Costa Crociere offices in Genoa, Italy, the 55,000 ton Costa Europa was on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona, Italy with 1,437 guests on board when it rammed into the pier while docking at Sharm El Sheik at 4:45 a.m. local time.
The ship suffered damage on the right side, listed and started to leak.
All the passengers were quickly disembarked, and the ship safely moored in port, but the cruise is over. The company spokesperson said that Costa Crociere is arranging for all the passengers to be flown back to their countries of origin.
An Italian Navy ship, part of the Italian contingent of the Multinational Force and Observer, an independent international organization with peacepeeking responsibilites in the Sinai, is assisting with the repair of the ship and pumping out the water, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The greatest wealth is health. -Virgil