Cruise Ship Passenger Suffers Fractured Wrist Due to Malfunctioning Sliding Door
Author: Attorney Jay Kanter
Our client was a passenger on a large cruise ship when one afternoon she suddenly and unexpectedly was knocked to the ground when a mechanical door closed on her while she was passing through it. As a result of hitting the deck, she suffered a fractured wrist. She was seen by a doctor on the ship for her initial injury, but had to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon upon her return home to Broward County, Florida. Our client was subsequently referred to a hand surgeon and had to undergo 2 surgeries to treat her fractured wrist.
Attorneys Dell & Schaefer were retained to recover damages for out of pocket expenses, as well as, pain and suffering for our injured client. The medical records, operative reports, and therapy notes were prepared and submitted to the claims office for the cruise line. They refused to respond to our client’s claim even though all notice provisions were met. The cruise line puts several deadlines in their ticket contract, together with a 1 one year statute of limitations. They make it difficult to pursue an injury claim, and even when presented, they sometimes ignore it until a lawsuit is filed and they are forced to defend themselves in a court process.
It is important to note that there is a ONE YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN CRUISE SHIP CASES. This is a very short time frame in which to bring a case, so it is imperative that if you suffer a serious injury aboard a cruise ship, that you contact an attorney as soon as you get back home or to port. Additionally, the cruise line ticket of passage will dictate in which jurisdiction (County & State) the case must be filed. NOT following the rules and restrictions for filing injury claims against a cruise line, can ban or eliminate your right to compensation.
If you have suffered a serious injury aboard a cruise ship that has sailed from the state of Florida, contact Attorneys Dell & Schaefer for a free consultation as to your rights and responsibilities following an accident or injury on a cruise ship.
2 comments
Injured oct 2018 on Disney out of NYC to Canada. Outside electric door closed on me. I immediately file incident report and tried seeking medical attention. Despite paying for trip ins and injured through no fault of my own. They told me I needed to pay to see dr. When I returned home. I went to pcp who said I have a bruised bone. It will take a long time. I immediately contacted risk management. They responded month later inquiring how was I feeling. I contacted them again few months later and again in aug. They sent me forms but never once mentioned time frame. I just recently called and was told. Sorry you didn’t send in forms in time. Too bad.
HI Violet,
What is the name of the cruise company? Has the bone bruise healed by now? Is there any other injury that you suffered in addition to the bone bruise? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.