MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AT SEA
LAWSUIT:  CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES’ PASSENGER DROWNED IN HER OWN FLUIDS AFTER THE CAPTAIN REFUSED TO EVACUATE HER
 

            A lawsuit filed yesterday in Federal Court in Miami alleges that the infirmary staff on the Carnival Cruise Lines ship, the Carnival Legend, committed medical malpractice by administering the wrong medication to a passenger who was in need of medical care.  Suit was filed by John H. (Jack) Hickey who this year was named as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of personal injury by the Florida Super Lawyers and who testified before Congress on crimes on cruise ships.  The suit alleges that the ship’s doctor and infirmary staff committed medical malpractice and misdiagnosed and mistreated a passenger, 73 year old Helen Kerr.  This resulted in the wrongful death of the passenger.  On the night of September 6, 2006, Kerr was suffering from a build up of fluid in her lungs.  She went to the infirmary on the ship where they pumped her full of more fluid, exactly the wrong thing to do.  According to the complaint, the cruise line medical staff in effect allowed Kerr to drown in her own fluids.  As Kerr was suffering, the Captain of the ship would not allow or enable Kerr to be evacuated to a full medical center, with regard apparently only to the itinerary and budget of the ship.  The suit asks for unspecified damages. 

            The style of the case: WILLIAM KERR, as husband, personal representative, statutory administrator and/or person authorized to act on behalf of the estate of the decedent, Helen Kerr,     Plaintiff, v. CARNIVAL CORPORATION, Defendant;  In the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.  Case No.: 07=22307 CIV UNGARO/BENAGES. 
Hickey represented cruise lines for the first 17 years of his career and for the last 10 years has represented passengers in their claims against cruise lines.  He is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  Hickey lectures frequently across the country on Maritime Law and on claims against cruise lines.  He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and listed in Who’s Who in America, in Who’s Who in American Law.  Hickey is a graduate of Florida State University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and Duke Law School.  He is a civil trial lawyer specializing in personal injury, admiralty and maritime, medical malpractice, and commercial litigation with offices at 1401 Brickell Avenue, Suite 510, Miami, Florida 33131.  Toll free phone:  1.800.215.7117.  Website:  www.hickeylawfirm.com.  

            A lawsuit filed yesterday in Federal Court in Miami alleges that the infirmary staff on the Carnival Cruise Lines ship, the Carnival Legend, committed medical malpractice by administering the wrong medication to a passenger who was in need of medical care.  Suit was filed by John H. (Jack) Hickey who this year was named as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of personal injury by the Florida Super Lawyers and who testified before Congress on crimes on cruise ships.  The suit alleges that the ship’s doctor and infirmary staff committed medical malpractice and misdiagnosed and mistreated a passenger, 73 year old Helen Kerr.  This resulted in the wrongful death of the passenger.  On the night of September 6, 2006, Kerr was suffering from a build up of fluid in her lungs.  She went to the infirmary on the ship where they pumped her full of more fluid, exactly the wrong thing to do.  According to the complaint, the cruise line medical staff in effect allowed Kerr to drown in her own fluids.  As Kerr was suffering, the Captain of the ship would not allow or enable Kerr to be evacuated to a full medical center, with regard apparently only to the itinerary and budget of the ship.  The suit asks for unspecified damages.