Cruise ship accidents and illness abroad

A cruise is an activity which many people choose –whether as a holiday of a lifetime or a longed for trip in retirement. It is often seen as the ultimate in pleasure and relaxation plus a chance to indulge in a spot of pampering as well.

A trip on a cruise is usually an enjoyable experience but unfortunately things can go wrong which results in a trip to forget. These include becoming injured whilst on the cruise ship for example, tripping on an object on deck: or becoming ill from an outbreak of food poisoning caused by norovirus.

Norovirus is known to develop in places where large groups of people gather in confined spaces. These include care homes, hospitals and schools and cruise ships.

Whatever the cause, sustaining an injury or illness whilst on a cruise can have short or long term effects. These range from a disappointing holiday through to long term illness or incapacity which impacts upon day to day living.

Cruise ship accidents

The companies which organise cruises have a responsibility to safeguard its passengers whilst aboard. This is known as a duty of care.

But it is when they fail to do so that injuries occur which in some cases can be fatal.

Cruise ships are equipped with all sorts of facilities which are designed to cater to all tastes. These include swimming pools, climbing walls, bowling alleys and other spaces for sports and physical activity.

Any cruise ship operator has to ensure that you can participate in any on-board activity safely and without the worry of an injury. After all, you choose to go on a cruise to relax and not worry about these things.

But unfortunately, accidents do happen. There are cases reported each year in which people have sustained an injury due to an accident on board. Examples of these include a slip or trip in the swimming pool or falling over in the bowling alley.

If this happens then it can mean a period of time off work which results in a loss of earnings plus the inconvenience caused. Your injury may be serious to warrant supportive care on a 24 hour basis which is expensive.

Cruise ship illness

There is nothing worse then falling ill whilst on holiday and a cruise is no exception. Becoming ill with many others whilst in a confined space can be a miserable experience and one that you do not want to repeat.

Unfortunately, illness does occur on cruise ships usually outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus or food poisoning. The problem with these is that they are highly contagious and spread via personal contact.

Food poisoning can be contracted by touching an infected surface, for example a door handle, or from eating contaminated food. Once one person has developed an illness it is easy for it to be transmitted to others.

Illness occurs if standards of food hygiene are not as high as they should be or what we expect.

Making a claim for compensation from a cruise ship accident or illness

If you have sustained an injury or illness whilst on a cruise then you may be able to claim compensation. This is to cover the loss of the holiday itself due to injury or illness, pain and discomfort caused and any loss of earnings.

There is the effect on your health plus the effect on your lifestyle (and income). If one of you is injured as a result of an accident on a cruise ship then this may mean time off work which then impacts upon your finances.

Plus there are additional expenses to contend with such as taxi fares to hospital; car parking and specialist care, e.g. physiotherapy.

Choose a personal injury lawyer, solicitor or claims assessor with experience in these types of claims.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a cruise ship accident or illness

Make a claim for compensation within 3 years of the date of your accident or illness.

If you have become injured abroad from participating in sport then visit our sports injuries abroad claims section.

For more information about the compensation process visit our making a claim for compensation section.