Cruise Ship Collides with Crane
Posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2021 at 1:02 am
Although the cruise line industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are still ships sailing the high seas, especially in other parts of the world. For adventurous travelers, the chance to see new parts of the world and explore other countries is alluring right now. With so few vessels at sea at the moment, you’d think that significant accidents would be at a minimum. However, already this year, a cruise ship crashed into the port of Savona while it was trying to execute a docking maneuver. The ship collided with a cargo crane, causing damage to the crane and one of the vessel’s lifeboats. A section of the port side of the vessel also detached from the ship and crashed into the ocean.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is still currently underway but weather conditions at the time were clear. No injuries have been reported from the incident, but accidents such as these in calm and clear weather should make passengers pause and re-evaluate the safety of these mammoth pleasure ships. Between 2005 and 2016, there were 448 major cruise ship disasters. Between 2005 and 2013, 66 of 131 passenger ships were reported to have run aground. Cruise ship accidents are not as uncommon as people think.
While weather conditions and mechanical failures are sometimes to blame, in many cases, accidents come down to negligence and captain error. This was the case in 2012 when the Costa Concordia ran aground just off the Italian coast. That accident killed 32 people. The captain was eventually found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking the cruise liner too close to the shore, then abandoning the ship while passengers and crew members were still on board.
Do Injured Passengers Have Rights?
Yes. Passengers injured in cruise ship accidents where negligence is involved may be able to recover compensation for their injuries and mental anguish. Unfortunately, many passengers are not aware that they have rights and just feel lucky if the cruise line provides them with a voucher for a new trip. If you’ve been injured, you deserve more than just a coupon.
Talking with an attorney that has specific experience handling cruise line accident cases is the best way to assess what your claim is worth. Holding giant cruise line companies accountable for their negligence is not easy. It takes dedication and the right resources. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a positive outcome while sending a message to the cruise line industry that negligence at sea is never acceptable.
Injured in a Cruise Ship Accident? Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. Today
If you’ve been injured in a cruise line accident, contact the law firm of Louis A. Vucci P.A. today to discuss your situation. We have a solid reputation for helping victims recover compensation for their injuries. The case evaluation is free and confidential. Call today at (786) 375-0344 to get started.
