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Steve Kherkher - July 3, 2023
Each year, millions of people embark on cruise ship adventures. Cruises are one of the most popular methods of vacationing in the United States. Unfortunately, cruises are not without hazards. Accidents, crimes, injuries, and illness outbreaks occur far more than most of us realize.
Despite safety protocols and regulations for the cruise industry, an average of 200 deaths are reported on cruise ships every year. The causes of death range widely, including natural causes, violence, accidents, and illnesses.
At Kherkher Garcia, LLP, we are well aware of how frequently incidents occur on cruise ships. Passengers and crew members are vulnerable to the hazards of the maritime industry, as well as the actions of those in charge of maintaining a safe and healthy cruise ship. Below, we delve into cruise ship accidents and injuries, and provide information that may be helpful if you suffer an injury or illness while on board a cruise ship.
If you get hurt on a cruise ship, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Most cruise ships have a medical center with a doctor or nurse on staff. They will be able to assess your injury and provide treatment.
If your injury is serious, the cruise ship may need to evacuate you to a hospital on land. This is usually done by helicopter. The cruise ship will cover the cost of your medical care, both on the ship and in the hospital.
If you are injured on a cruise ship, it is important to take the following steps:
Once you have received medical attention, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit against the cruise ship company. This is only necessary if you believe that the cruise ship was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury.
On a cruise ship, passengers and crew members can sustain a range of injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:
Slippery surfaces, wet decks, or uneven flooring can lead to passengers and crew members slipping, tripping, or falling. These accidents can result in sprains, strains, fractures, bruises, or head injuries.
Cruise ships often have swimming pools, water slides, and other water-related attractions. Injuries can occur from diving accidents, water slide mishaps, or slips and falls around pool areas.
Hot surfaces, scalding water, or accidental contact with hot objects can cause burns on cruise ships. This can happen in restaurants, cafes, or even cabin bathrooms.
Cruise ship passengers often participate in shore excursions, such as snorkeling, hiking, or other recreational activities. Injuries can occur during these excursions due to accidents, falls, or other mishaps.
Crew members who perform physically demanding tasks may experience repetitive strain injuries, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. This can be a result of tasks like lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, or working in awkward positions.
Cruise ships typically offer a variety of dining options and serve large numbers of people daily. Occasionally, passengers can experience food poisoning or gastrointestinal illnesses due to contaminated food or water.
Cruise ship injuries are relatively rare compared to the number of passengers and crew members onboard. However, they do occur far more frequently than most of us realize. They certainly occur more frequently than is publicized in the media.
Cruise ship accidents can occur due to various factors. Here are some of the most common types of cruise ship accidents:
It is important to note that while these accidents do occur, cruising is generally considered a safe mode of travel. Cruise lines must adhere to stringent safety protocols and regulations in order to mitigate risks and ensure passenger safety.
Outbreaks of illnesses, such as norovirus or other gastrointestinal infections, can occur on cruise ships due to several factors:
Cruise ships are essentially floating communities with a large number of people living in close proximity. This close quarters environment can facilitate the rapid spread of contagious illnesses. When one person becomes ill, it is easier for the illness to pass to others in such a confined space.
Cruise ships have communal areas, such as dining halls, buffets, swimming pools, and public restrooms, where passengers come into contact with shared surfaces. If proper hygiene practices are not followed by passengers or crew members, these areas can become sources of contamination and contribute to the spread of illnesses.
Cruise ships have to store, prepare, and serve food to thousands of passengers and crew members daily. If proper food handling and sanitation practices are not followed, there is a risk of foodborne illnesses. Similarly, if the ship’s water supply or water treatment systems are compromised, it can lead to contaminated drinking water and contribute to illness outbreaks.
Cruise lines are aware of the above risks and have strict health and safety protocols to mitigate the occurrence and spread of illnesses onboard. However, outbreaks can still occur, especially if crew members do not adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines.
While cruise ships generally have a low incidence of crime, there have been reported cases of criminal activities onboard. Some common crimes that can occur on cruise ships include:
While these crimes do occur, they are relatively infrequent given the large number of passengers who travel on cruise ships each year. Physical and verbal assault or harassment on a cruise ship should be reported immediately. Such interactions can result in serious injuries.
If a crime occurs onboard a cruise ship, it is important for those involved to report it immediately. Cruise ships have a number of measures in place to handle crime, including:
If a crime is committed on a cruise ship, the security team will typically respond to the incident and investigate the matter. If the crime is serious, the suspect may be arrested and detained on board the ship. In some cases, the suspect may be transferred to law enforcement authorities in the next port of call.
Cruise ships are required to have adequate medical personnel onboard to manage any illnesses or injuries that arise. Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring that passengers and crew members get appropriate care when an incident does occur. Sadly, that does not always happen.
Medical personnel onboard a cruise ship can commit medical malpractice in the same ways as their on-land peers. Some examples of malpractice include:
Maritime law requires cruise ship crew to take necessary actions to protect those onboard. That includes changing course or requesting a helicopter if a passenger requires more advanced medical care.
You can sue a cruise company if you believe that you have been injured due to their negligence. Cruise companies are considered common carriers, which means that they have a high duty of care to their passengers. This means that they must take all reasonable steps to protect their passengers from harm.
If you believe that a cruise company has been negligent, you will need to prove that:
If you can prove all of these elements, you may be able to recover damages from the cruise company. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
It is important to note that cruise companies often have liability waivers in their terms and conditions. These waivers may limit or even eliminate your ability to sue the cruise company if you suffer an injury. However, these waivers are not always applicable or enforceable. It is important to speak with an attorney to determine if such a waiver is valid.
If you have been injured or became seriously ill on a cruise ship, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. At Kherkher Garcia, our attorneys can help you determine if you have a case. We will meticulously review the circumstances surrounding your injury or illness, and gather relevant evidence and information.
Our skilled negotiators will work on your behalf to communicate with the cruise line and other applicable parties. Additionally, we will represent you in court if a lawsuit is the best option to protect your rights and pursue recovery.
Get the help you need after a cruise ship accident or injury by calling us at 713-333-1030, or by completing our online contact form.
Kherkher Garcia LLP filed this wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the Virgil family in December 2025. Shortly after the filing, the case received extensive national and international media attention, including syndicated television segments and on-camera interviews featuring Kherkher Garcia partner Kevin Haynes. This coverage highlights the serious safety failures alleged in the complaint and reflects the firm’s experience handling complex, high-profile maritime and wrongful death cases.
Media coverage includes:
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
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