Cruise ships are a time for families to get together. These vacations are marketed to children and adults alike. Since cruise lines structure the ship with the whole family in mind, there should be safety measures in place to keep the kids safe. If not, then a child could be injured.

Parental & Child Legal Rights

Firstly, cruise ships must adhere to safety standards. It is their duty to remove or limit hazards that could put children and other passengers in danger.  Manufacturers must construct all interior and exterior passageways according to applicable ship, building, and safety codes.  When these safety codes aren’t fulfilled and injures a child, the cruise ship is liable. For example, recently an 8-year-old girl on the Carnival ship, Glory fell approximately 20 feet inside the atrium. A knowledgeable complex litigation attorney can survey the scene and determine liability and assign negligence or fault.

Maritime Safety Regulations and Laws

American cruise lines must abide by a series of federal and international laws and regulations.  This includes regulations and laws governed by the U.S.  Coast Guard, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the U.S.  Department of Transportation.  Therefore, each has certain regulations and responsibilities related to accidents occurring at sea.
Recent data has shown an increase in violations of maritime safety regulations.

• U.S. Department of Transportation received 30 incidences between April and June 2017 which included one missing person report and 19 sexual assaults.
• National Transportation Safety Board has investigated several maritime accidents including a docking accident involving Carnival Pride in May 2016.
• U.S. Coast Guard manages all safety inspections on cruise ships. They also require cruise ships to meet national and international standards. There are in terms of fire prevention, lifeboat adequacy, evacuation procedures, among others.

Even though these organizations can help defray maritime incidents, they do not prevent everything. Cruise ships do not need to adhere to building code inspectors. Therefore, there are not any inspections to ensure that cruise ships meet minimum standards for things like lighting, signage, step height, or architectural features.
Also, many cruise ships do not have active lifeguards on duty during swim hours. This increases the chance of a child drowning.

We Can Help Cruise Ship Victims

At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused by negligence. Given that lawsuits against cruise ships are in a venue favorable to the cruise lines, it is incredibly important to have an experienced attorney with ample resources to prosecute your claim. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track record of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free. Then, we will help you protect your rights. For your complimentary consultation, call our office now.