Nearly 30 million people board cruises each year. No one anticipates being injured on their vacation, but accidents can happen to anyone. Undoubtedly, slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of accidents that occur aboard cruise ships. This kind of accident seems inevitable with slippery surfaces, crowded common areas and the motion of the sea. So, what should you do if you’ve been injured on a cruise ship?
First, it is important to understand the difference between an accident and negligence of the cruise ship. As we know, sometimes accidents happen. You may trip over your own feet or not pay attention to what you are doing. In that case, no one is to blame; however, other accidents are due to the negligence of the cruise line and its employees. If this is the case, the cruise line will be liable for the injured passenger’s injuries. This includes medical bills, future medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium, etc. This is because shipowners owe a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its passengers Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 358 U.S. 625 (1959).