Cruise ships are essentially floating hotels, and just like any large venue, accidents can happen for many reasons. Claims often arise from:

• Wet floors with inadequate signage: Slippery surfaces, whether from spills or cleaning, can lead to serious slips and falls if not properly marked.

• Unsecured staircases or handrails: Stairs without handrails or that are poorly lit can cause travelers to lose their footing, resulting in injuries that may warrant claims.

• Inadequate safety procedures during excursions: Excursions that do not follow strict safety protocols can expose passengers to unnecessary risks, including accidents while disembarking or engaging in activities like zip-lining or snorkeling.

• Defective leisure facilities (e.g., faulty gym equipment): Equipment that is not regularly inspected or maintained can malfunction, leading to accidents and injuries for unsuspecting users.

• Poorly maintained cabins or public spaces: Deteriorating infrastructure, such as loose floor tiles or broken furniture, can pose hazards to passengers navigating through the ship.

• Food hygiene lapses: Contaminated food can lead to foodborne illnesses, causing passengers to suffer severe health repercussions and potentially pursue claims for damages.

• Overboard incidents or falls due to a lack of barriers: Insufficient safety barriers around open decks can result in tragic falls, either by accidents or negligence on the part of the crew.

• Assaults or antisocial behaviour allowed by crew: Failure to address or prevent aggressive behavior among passengers can lead to physical or emotional trauma, making the cruise line liable for the safety of its guests.

Proving the cause of your accident is a core part of a successful public liability claim. As such, we’ll look at the evidence you could use to strengthen your claim, next.