For many years, cruise lines enjoyed mostly positive attention from the press. Gleaming, gargantuan ships with their amazing recreational features were featured in press releases, and going on cruises became immensely popular. Occasional illness outbreaks on cruises were reported, but cruises were seen as good clean fun. At The Maus Law Firm, a cruise ship accident law firm, we have dealt with the unpleasant side of cruise lines for years.
After the Costa Concordia disaster in 2012, problems with cruise lines began to come to light. Suddenly people understood how difficult it is to sue a cruise line – or even establish which jurisdiction to sue in. Reports that Carnival, the Costa Concordia’s parent company tried to settle with passengers for astonishingly low amounts made ordinary people much more interested in what happens when something goes wrong on a cruise.
Incidents so far in 2013 involve the Carnival Triumph, the Carnival Dream, and the Crown Princess:
Carnival Dream – after mechanical problems in St. Maarten, passengers were sent home early.
Crown Princess – experienced blockage of the toilet system, with the result being 400 rooms without toilets for 12 hours. Affected passengers got $50 and the cruise continued.
Reading the terms and conditions before your cruise can assist you should you need to contact a cruise ship accident attorney later. You generally only have a year in which to file a claim, and lawsuits must be filed in the jurisdiction of the cruise line’s choosing. Your cruise ship accident attorney should have experience dealing with the intricacies of cruise ship injury cases.
Don’t wait: contact a cruise ship accident law firm promptly. Cruise injury suits are more complex than typical personal injury cases. At The Maus Law Firm, our attorneys have the experience our clients need when they pursue compensation after being injured during a cruise.