Putting Profits Ahead of Safety--Cruise Company Fails to Provide Reasonable Medical Assistance for Passenger

Michael Myers

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 580

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A recent cruise ship case involves a man who had a severe asthma attack at a wedding. There was oxygen aboard but the crew would not allow passengers with medical training to assist.

By the time the vessel got back to the dock, the passenger was in a very bad way and later died. A magistrate denied limitation of liability because the captain could have diverted to a closer dock. The court noted that while an aboard doctor was not required on a party boat, there is a duty for reasonable care to afford reasonable assistance that an ordinarily prudent person would render under similar circumstances. Gateway Clipper, Inc. v. Hill.