Most Common Injuries on Cruise Ships

If you have ever sat quietly in the fog gazing out onto the waves of the ocean, you may have wondered what it would be like to live at sea at least for a little while. You are not alone. Every year many people take cruises to exotic places. A cruise is a perfect vacation. It is a luxury hotel that takes you to destinations you would ordinarily never get to see.

Unfortunately, cruising can be very dangerous. It would be almost impossible for a cruise ship to sail without at least one or two people getting injured on it because cruise ships are really just like small floating cities. There are a few injuries that are a little more common than others on boats.

Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents are the most common way to hurt yourself. If you walk too fast on a slippery deck or if somebody has left a scrub brush where it shouldn’t be, it can be very easy to take a spill.

Ship crews know just how common these slip and fall accidents are and they should do everything in their power to prevent them. They have a duty of care to make sure that galleys and decks are free of debris and that any spills are mopped up in a timely fashion.

Medical Malpractice

Whenever you travel, you are going to eat food that you normally would not eat and participate in activities that you might not normally indulge in. Unfortunately, these activities sometimes lead to a trip to the emergency room. Ships do have infirmaries, but sometimes they do not have as many people on staff as they should.

The doctors on a cruise ship may not have been trained in the United States. They may not even be licensed to practice medicine in America. It is not uncommon at all for a ship’s doctor to misdiagnose a passenger. This can lead to future injuries and complications.

Food Poisoning

Between huge buffets and the gourmet dinners that are offered on a ship, the kitchens are awfully busy. Someone is bound to forget to wash their hands or pick up food that has been on the floor. It is not uncommon for people to get food poisoning on a cruise ship. Serious cases of poisoning such as hepatitis and staphylococcal have been known to occur.

What to do if You are Injured at Sea

If you do end up getting injured on a boat, you shouldn’t have to pay the bills. before you call the ship’s insurance company, you should talk to a maritime lawyer. A trained attorney will be able to negotiate with a ship’s insurance company. If you are unable to come to a settlement and have to go to court, they will have a keen understanding of maritime law.

A cruise is a unique experience and everyone should take at least one during their lifetime. It never hurts to know what to do if an accident occurs. You can get more information here lipcon.com.