If you are on a cruise ship, on the pool deck for example, and you slip and fall, injuring yourself – is that your fault?  This kind of question is very important because it really goes to the heart of many of the cases we see here at the Hickey Law Firm.  The fact is that many times what the victim does not know, can hurt them.

There are many hazards which may arise from operating a cruise ship.  The cruise company is responsible for making sure that the ship is safe for the passengers to enjoy and use, including all public areas of the ship.  They are responsible for making sure the food is safe to eat, and the water is safe to drink.

So, let’s go back to the earlier example, a slip and fall on the pool deck.  The first thing you may think is “pool decks are slippery because of the water.”  But this is not necessarily the case.  We recently had a case in which a woman slipped and fell on the pool deck, injuring herself very badly.  It turns out that the cruise line had coated the pool deck with a very slippery coating which they knew could cause people to slip and injure themselves.

If you have an injury aboard a cruise ship, or during an off shore excursion, do not just assume that you are at fault.  Give us a call and allow us to review your case.

Hickey Law Firm, P.A. – Miami Cruise Ship Accident Attorney

John and Chantal Hopkins took a Carnival cruise in July 2004, bringing their 13 year old daughter and her 12 year old friend with them. The Hopkins shared a stateroom, and the 2 girls shared the room next door.  Early one morning at 12:30am, the cabin steward called to see if the girls wanted anything.  They replied that they would like a Coke.

When the steward arrived, the girls found that he had no brought a soda:

“However, when he arrived, he delivered beer, rather than the sodas they had requested. Upon gaining entry to the room, he proceeded to sexually assault both children by French-kissing both of them… and continued by pulling down the skirt of the younger child, my daughter’s 12-year old friend….”

It would be nice to say that the Hopkins were helped by the cruise line and security on board, but as is so often the case, they were stymied at every turn.  The couple was told that the girls are “fine” by Carnival guest relations, and were prompted to choose Carnival for their next vacation several times while attempting to bring attention to what had happened.

They were also told that because of employee privacy, they could not be given written proof that the perpetrator had been fired.

These kinds of details are common when it comes to cruise lines investigating on board abuses.  What the victim must understand is that the cruise lines are notorious for not helping in these most serious of situations.  If you, or anyone you know, is the victim of a cruise ship sexual assault, report it to the cruise line and the authorities.  Next call the Hickey Law Firm

Jack Hickey – Miami Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Attorney