4 Cruise Ship Safety Tips

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Parkland, Florida, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 20, 2012 -- CONTACT:
Robert B. Baker, Esq., Baker, Zimmerman & Perez
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4 Cruise Ship Safety Tips

Parkland, FL - The cruise ship and boating accident law firm of Baker, Zimmerman & Perez share four cruise ship safety tips to help keep you and your family safe on your next passenger cruise. While the cruise line and cruise ship industry have a duty of care to guard against accidents and injury some of the common injuries can include: slip and fall accidents, pool or recreational area accidents (scuba diving and snorkeling), medical staff negligence, food poisoning, Norwalk virus, legionnaires disease, assault or battery by crew or passengers, sexual assault by passengers or crew, wrongful death due to cruise negligence or cruise line-approved excursion injuries.

Four Ways to Prevent Cruise Ship Injuries & Accidents:

Keep an eye on your kids. Some ships have a capacity of nearly 5,000 people and crew depending on the size of your ship and cruise line. The crew and passengers are often from other countries and background checks and training are not what passengers would find comforting. Unsuspecting teenagers are particularly susceptible to inappropriate contact from predatory crew and passengers. Check on the kids often and ask plenty of questions regarding with whom they are interacting? Two-way radios are a great way to stay in touch or designated times and locations for check in during the day. Kids' clubs and daycare services are a great option for overworked parents looking for some relaxation. Make sure you meet all the crew that will interact with your children and ask questions about training and background checks. All of the members should be CPR trained. If any are not, that should be a red flag regarding the safety standards of your cruise line.

Don’t drink too much. Cruise lines make most of their money on alcohol sales and excursions. As soon as you board, the alcohol begins to flow. Bars seem to be around every corner and on almost every deck. Even though you do not have to drive – drink responsibly. If you have the misfortune of being injured while you have been drinking don't just assume that it's because maybe you had a few too many. The crew is mostly concerned with serving those drinks particularly around the bars and pool deck area. Generally, the crew does not stop serving the obviously intoxicated. Certainly none of the crew is generally cleaning the deck regularly from the spilled drinks and melting ice. The cruise line has a responsibility to maintain its ships' safety for its passengers. This includes keeping it safe for all passengers including those the cruise line encourages to drink. Conversely, the crew has a responsibility to protect passengers from those that have had a little too much to drink.

Be aware of off-ship excursion dangers. Excursions can be a safe and fun way to spend time at ports of call. While out and about, you should take the usual precautions about not leaving your things unattended, don't flash signs of wealth, and be aware of your surroundings. Don't be on the streets to late at night, and traveling alone is not a good idea. Some countries and ports have high crime rates for robbery, rape and murder. Research the port or region you are going to before you go. The cruise lines are responsible to provide safe passage and activities for passengers. The cruise lines generally have you sign a waiver of liability to participate in these activities. However, if you or a loved one is injured during one of these activities you should still contact an attorney. Many times the waivers of liability will not bar a claim if handled by an experienced lawyer.

Be medically prepared. The last place you want to become ill or injured is on a cruise ship far away from a U.S. port. Passenger vessels are not required to carry a ship doctor. Most cruise ship medical care is limited and their facilities are often inadequate and the medical care is sub-standard. Ship doctors are usually from foreign medical schools. What most passengers do not know is that cruise lines are not legally responsible when their ship doctors commit malpractice. Cruise ship doctors are considered independent contractors; therefore the cruise line is not liable. Before you book your cruise check with the cruise line to ensure they have high standards for their on-board medical personnel – ask if their doctors properly licensed. Check with your physician before sailing and have an ample supply of prescription medications (keep all medications on you) and a copy of your medical history. Also check to see if your medical insurance is current and what it will and will not cover.If you do get sick and need treatment onboard the ship, you are encouraged to call your doctor back in the U.S. and have your doctor communicate with the ship's medical officer. Your doctor can convey vital information from your medical history that could prevent further injury.

When all else fails, trust your instinct. Nothing is worth putting you or your family at risk while on a cruise ship.

Baker, Zimmerman & Perez, a Boca Raton / Parkland civil litigation firm, focuses on Catastrophic Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Burn Injuries, and Defective Products. The firm is headquartered at 6991 North State Road 7, Second Floor and may be reached at (954) 509-1900. Additional information about Robert Baker and Baker Zimmerman & Perez, P.A. may be obtained from the firm’s website at http://www.defendingtheinjured.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BakerZimmerman for more cruise ship safety tips.

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