If you’ve ever tried to sue a cruise line, then you know that the ticket has a forum selection clause that ensures that all cases are heard by federal and not state courts. There are a number of good reasons why the cruise line would prefer a federal forum over a state forum. Until very recently, Florida had some of…
A 14-year-old female passenger aboard a Norwegian cruise has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line after she lost control of her go-kart and suffered critical injuries, according to a recent news report. The girl allegedly suffered injury when the go-kart careened out of control. She suffered injuries to her head and neck, according to the complaint, including a possible…
Senator Rich Blumenthal introduced the Cruise Ship Passenger Protection Act which would help consumers in a variety of ways. One of the most reported crimes according to federal data aboard cruise ships is sexual assault. In these cases, victims are left with cruise ship security to take their statements. Cruise ship security has a vested interest in downplaying, denying, or…
The parents of a survivor of a deadly Labor Day boat crash have filed a lawsuit against the parents of the girl who was celebrating her birthday. One person, a seventeen-year-old girl, died. Six others had to be taken to the hospital. The boat capsized after it was driven into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key. 11 of the…
The alleged assault occurred aboard one of the Princess Cruise Line vessels and the allegations are disturbing. According to the victim, she was raped by an art auctioneer while aboard a Princess Cruise vessel. She further alleges that she acquired HIV from the assault. Sex crimes aboard cruise ships are not uncommon. Sex crimes in tourist locations are not uncommon.…
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises have reported 70% of all sexual assaults. While this headline sure is terrifying, it should not shock you to know that these two are the largest players in the cruise industry across the globe. They, therefore, run the most cruises. To determine if Royal Caribbean and Carnival are especially dangerous, we would have to determine…
A federal judge has ruled that a sex trafficking and labor trafficking lawsuit against a Jacksonville company may proceed. The company has denied all allegations related to the lawsuit. In one complaint, a former employee alleges that she was raped by a supervisor. The same supervisor was accused of several other assaults. When the employee reported the sexual misconduct to…
One yacht company is suing the other after a yacht allegedly caught fire causing the total loss of two yachts and significant damage to a third. Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of the solar-powered yacht blamed for the fire and a courier vessel that failed to disclose the presence of the solar-powered yacht on the voyage. The plaintiffs…
Four passengers were injured and another was left dead after a “rogue tidal wave” struck the Viking Polaris off the coast of Antarctica. Viking released details to the family but little is known other than the tidal wave struck the ship and killed the passenger. The passenger was a U.S. citizen. Four others sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.…
Cruise ships are responsible for passenger safety. This includes several duties to ensure the health and safety of passengers while they are embarking, disembarking, and even while on excursions. In some cases, small passenger boats are used to transport passengers from the ship to the shore. These boats are safe for travel but are difficult to get in and out…