Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
As winter approaches, many of us take to the high seas to escape the winter gloom. A week of relaxation, great food, and a beautiful view can be just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen on board cruise ships, and can result in serious injury. If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship as a result of the cruise line’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorney’s at Slappey & Sadd can evaluate your claim, explain your options, and get you the help you need.
Common Cruise Ship Injuries
Many of the most common accidents on cruise ships are the same as accidents that can happen anywhere else. On a cruise ship, however, the injuries can be more severe due to the nature of the environment. To make matters worse, treatment options are limited and may be delayed until you can make it to port.
Trip, and Fall Injuries. Cruise ships are generally pretty stable given their size and generally stay in calmer waters. Still, the movement of the ship can result in you losing your balance and falling. And given the cramped quarters and passageways, there is an increased risk of injury. It’s also important to keep in mind that given their massive size and an impressive variety of amenities, cruise ships have numerous slip and fall hazards that passengers don’t normally encounter. Rock climbing walls, bumper cars, and even escalators can present dangers that can cause serious injury.
Illness and Food Poisoning. You’ve probably heard of the norovirus and the havoc it has brought to the cruise industry. In a relatively short period of time, it can make hundreds of people on board a ship seriously ill. Victims tend to show symptoms within 12 to 24 hours of exposure, and then have severe diarrhea with vomiting for up to three days. In addition to the norovirus, food poisoning on cruise ships can be quite common, and can also result in severe nausea. While these illnesses may not be life-threatening in all cases, they can be especially dangerous for the elderly or those who already are in poor health.
Swimming Pool and Aquatic Facility Injuries. Swimming pools and other aquatic facilities pose a risk of drowning, especially for children. People can be injured while using the diving board, water slides, or simply slip and fall on the pool deck. Saunas and hot tubs can potentially cause burns.
What You Should Do if You’ve Been Injured
If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship, the most important thing to do is to keep careful documentation of your injuries, your medical bills, and any other losses (such as lost wages) that you may have suffered. You should also keep all of your records that prove you were a passenger and how much you paid for the cruise. Finally, write down everything you can remember about your accident – memories fade over time, and good notes can be invaluable when trying to recreate what happened several months later.
Contact an Atlanta Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Today for a Free Case Evaluation
The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been helping accident victims across the state of Georgia since 1992, including people who have been injured while at sea. If you’ve been injured because of the cruise line’s negligence, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation – call us at 404-255-6677 or email us via our online contact form.