What To Do After a Cruise Ship Accident...
What To Do After A Cruise Ship Accident
What should I do if I’m injured on a cruise ship?
Most passengers embarking on a cruise don’t think about that question - for obvious reasons. Passengers going on a cruise vacation normally think about having fun. But if you have an accident on a cruise ship, handling things the right way could serve to protect your legal rights.
▪ The first thing to address is whether you need medical attention. If someone is with you, ask them to summon an immediate first aid response from a qualified member of the ship’s crew.
▪ After immediate medical needs have been met, report the accident and injuries to the cruise ship’s security officer or safety officer. Request a copy of the report once it is completed. A well drafted report should document the particulars of the accident… date, time, location, what happened, description of injuries, how the injuries arose, who was present, etc.
▪ Take down names of witnesses and their contact information. Try to include a home address or post office box, telephone and e-mail. It could be difficult to get in touch with witnesses after the ship docks. On some of the larger 3,000 to 4,000-passenger vessels, it could even be difficult to re-establish contact with a witness in the remaining days before docking.
▪ Take photographs of your injuries. If there are lacerations, punctures, stitches, contusions, swollen ankles or wrists, photograph them… or ask a friend to do so.
▪ Take photographs of the location of the accident. If necessary, make a sketch of the passageway, stairway, poolside, or other location. Note if there are signs… or there are no signs. This includes “do not enter”, “do not exit”, "automatic doors,” etc. Note the presence or absence of handrails, non-skid surfaces or other physical characteristics at the scene of the accident.
▪ If necessary, arrange for follow-up medical care after you leave the cruise ship.
Most passengers embarking on a cruise don’t think about that question - for obvious reasons. Passengers going on a cruise vacation normally think about having fun. But if you have an accident on a cruise ship, handling things the right way could serve to protect your legal rights.
▪ The first thing to address is whether you need medical attention. If someone is with you, ask them to summon an immediate first aid response from a qualified member of the ship’s crew.
▪ After immediate medical needs have been met, report the accident and injuries to the cruise ship’s security officer or safety officer. Request a copy of the report once it is completed. A well drafted report should document the particulars of the accident… date, time, location, what happened, description of injuries, how the injuries arose, who was present, etc.
▪ Take down names of witnesses and their contact information. Try to include a home address or post office box, telephone and e-mail. It could be difficult to get in touch with witnesses after the ship docks. On some of the larger 3,000 to 4,000-passenger vessels, it could even be difficult to re-establish contact with a witness in the remaining days before docking.
▪ Take photographs of your injuries. If there are lacerations, punctures, stitches, contusions, swollen ankles or wrists, photograph them… or ask a friend to do so.
▪ Take photographs of the location of the accident. If necessary, make a sketch of the passageway, stairway, poolside, or other location. Note if there are signs… or there are no signs. This includes “do not enter”, “do not exit”, "automatic doors,” etc. Note the presence or absence of handrails, non-skid surfaces or other physical characteristics at the scene of the accident.
▪ If necessary, arrange for follow-up medical care after you leave the cruise ship.