cruise accident lawyer

Sexual Assault on Miami Cruise Ship Vacations: Facts Victims Need to Know

June 20, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Sexual assault is a serious problem in Miami and throughout the US, but you never expect such a tragic offense to affect your cruise vacation. Unfortunately, statistics from the US Department of Transportation reveal that rape, sexual battery, molestation, and related crimes are not just confined to land. According to a publication on Cruise Line Incident Reports, there are approximately 100 reports of sexual assault every year worldwide on cruises operated by some of the biggest, most reputable operators. Not only is your trip of a lifetime horrifically damaged, but you could experience long-term physical and emotional consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered sexual assault on a cruise vacation, you should make it a priority get in touch with a Miami cruise ship attorney right away to discuss your options. It may also be helpful to review a few facts about the legal process.

Issues with reporting paint a distorted view of sexual assault on cruises. On the one hand, victims are often reluctant to notify crew about these incidents; however, the cruise lines themselves are not always truthful about sexual assault to avoid a PR catastrophe. Because they are “flagged” in countries other than the US, particularly the Bahamas, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, they are not subject to our laws that require reporting. Together, these factors make it difficult to assess the risk of sexual assault on cruises.

How Common is Food Poisoning on Miami Cruises?

May 26, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

There can be no doubt that a highlight for many cruise guests is the food, featuring a range of culinary adventures from massive breakfast buffets and pizza on-demand to fine dining and late night snacks. You might not give a second thought to the sanitary practices regarding the preparation, presentation, and storage behind the scenes of your favorite dishes, but data reveals some safety concerns. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 21,600 passengers experience acute gastrointestinal illness and other food borne illnesses every year while traveling on cruises.

When compared to the millions of guests that do not get sick on cruises, this figure is relatively low. Still, a bout with food poisoning can completely ruin your vacation, and do not expect a quick, automatic refund from the cruise operator. It is critical to work with a Miami cruise ship lawyer to protect your interests and seek appropriate compensation for your losses. You might also benefit from reviewing a few basics about food borne illnesses on cruise vacations.

How Cruise Passengers May Contract Food Borne Illnesses

Cruise Ship Parasailing Accidents: Causes and Statistics

April 23, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Shore excursions are a fundamental part of cruise enjoyment, and many adventure-seekers will schedule extreme sports and other activities well in advance of their departure. One of the most popular water-based escapades is parasailing, an exciting ride that takes you as high as 300 feet in the air as you float on the breeze behind a power boat. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that an estimated 3 to 5 million people go parasailing every year, and the experience is exhilarating for the majority of them.

However, numerous parasailing accidents have been reported in recent years, causing serious injury and death. These tragedies are concerning to US officials, who cite a complete lack of federal regulation as posing a serious safety risk. It is even more disturbing to note that any proposed laws would not apply to many parasailing operators, since they offer their adventures through cruise companies at foreign ports-of-call. Such factors make parasailing injury claims complicated, so it is wise to retain an experienced Miami cruise ship accident lawyer for assistance with your case. You should also be aware of some additional statistics and causes of parasailing accidents on cruises.

Causes of Parasailing Accidents on Cruise Ship Excursions

Sarasota Resident Injured on Royal Caribbean

April 19, 2019 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

In February 2019, Casey Holladay, 26, was a passenger on the Mariner of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean vessel. He and his friends were having fun on a trampoline deck, a new attraction known as The Sky Pad. In this attraction, several trampolines were enclosed within a large cage. Those inside attach bungee cords to themselves via a harness and are given space to perform acrobatics. Holladay’s bungee cord snapped, causing him to fall 20 feet onto the hard deck of the cruise ship.

Holladay experienced a dislocated shoulder and fractured pelvis causing him to be permanently disabled. He is currently relying on a wheelchair for mobility and has several plates and screws in his pelvis. Holladay cannot bear any weight on his pelvis and is still must regularly see his physicians. He is expected to need at least one hip replacement in the future and extensive, long-term physical therapy. His lawyer has stated that he remains in a great deal of pain and will be permanently affected by his injuries. Holladay was initially kept in the vessel’s medical facility. It took hours for the vessel to return to Miami, Florida, where he was transferred to Jackson Trauma Center. He was admitted to the hospital for the next 10 days while he received treatment for his extensive injuries.

Royal Caribbean Closes Attraction