The first cruise lawsuit has been filed against Carnival Cruise Line. On Feb. 15, ABC News reported that Cassie Terry from Texas was the first person to sue the company after the ship, The Triumph was stranded in the Gulf of Mexico for 5 days.
"The suit seeks unspecified damages, saying Terry feared for her life or that she might suffer serious injury or illness because of the presence of raw sewage and spoiled food," ABC News reported. Carnival was expecting these lawsuits and told passengers that any and all filings would need to be done in Miami -- and that is just what Terry did once she got back on land.
The first cruise lawsuit certainly won't be the last. Hundreds of passengers might follow in Terry's lead and take their frustrations out the only way that they can. Many of the people were not happy with how Carnival handled the situation, voicing their opinions on how the ship didn't really have a "plan" of action after it became immobilized due to an engine fire.
Maritime attorneys have weighed in on the situation and have said that it is going to be difficult for passengers to win these lawsuits -- but it is possible. Despite Carnival reimbursing passengers for the trip and giving them each an extra $500, people are still unhappy with what happened.
Do you think the first cruise lawsuit will be one of many? Would you sue?
© Effie Orfanides 2013
Comments