Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer Blog
When families board a cruise ship, they trust that the crew surrounding their children has been carefully screened. A recent federal operation in San Diego shattered that assumption, as officials conducted an enforcement operation involving child sexual exploitation material (CSEM). According to the New York Post, agents arrested 28 crew members, including some from a Disney cruise vessel.
The incident exposes an alarming failure in cruise line employee vetting, resulting in families with young children being in close contact with dangerous criminal offenders. A Miami cruise ship accident lawyer the potential remedies available, and some information about the relevant legal concepts is useful.
What is a Cruise Line’s Duty of Care to Passengers?
Cruise lines are bound by maritime law, which requires them to take reasonable steps to protect every passenger on board. Under federal maritime statutes, operators must maintain a safe environment throughout the voyage. This legal duty extends to employment matters for the crew members who interact with passengers daily. Cruise companies are required to use proper care when:
- Screening
- Monitoring
- Training
- Managing
When a cruise line ignores this obligation, it can face serious legal consequences.
How Cruise Companies Fail to Protect You
There are two common ways cruise operators engage in negligence with employment:
- Negligent Hiring: Employing someone without conducting a proper background check
- Negligent Retention: Keeping an employee on staff after learning about dangerous or criminal behavior
Both forms of negligence expose passengers to preventable harm. Cruise lines are expected to meet strict hiring standards. Failing to do so can make them legally liable for any harm their employees cause.
Can You Sue a Cruise Line for Failing to Screen its Employees?
Yes. If a cruise ship employee engages in criminal conduct, and the cruise line failed to properly vet that employee, victims may have grounds for a civil lawsuit. Criminal activity could certainly include the production or possession of CSEM as alleged in the Disney Magic matter.
Courts recognize that cruise operators must take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable harm. If background checks were skipped or warning signs ignored, the company’s negligence may be the direct cause of your family’s suffering, and you deserve justice.
What to Do if Your Child Was Harmed by a Cruise Ship Employee
If your child was harmed by a cruise ship employee, it is critical to act quickly. Preserve all evidence, including photos, written communications, and medical records. Make sure you report the incident to ship security and local law enforcement immediately.
You should also make it a priority to consult with a legal professional. A cruise accident attorney can review your case, gather essential evidence, and help your family pursue the compensation you deserve.
Discuss Legal Options with a Miami Cruise Ship Liability Attorney
To learn more about your remedies for a cruise line’s negligent hiring or retention, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA. You can call (305) 371-6000 for a free consultation at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach. Our team has extensive experience with a wide array of claims against cruise operators, and we can explain how the laws work.