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Cruise Ship Injuries

On July 18, 2006, The Crown Princess cruise ship abruptly swayed portside after departing from Port Canaveral. The Crown Princess is a relatively new ship owned by Princess Cruises. As the 113,000-ton vessel rocked left, passengers throughout the ship were sent flying in all different directions. As a result an estimated 50 passengers were injured, and two passengers suffered serious injuries. Some of the reported injuries authorities noticed included fractures and bruises.

Julie Benson spokeswoman for Princess Cruise Lines said some passengers suffered "fractures, bruises" and "some more serious than that." She said the company is still looking into the cause of the listing, including a possible problem with the steering or other mechanics of the ship. "We don't know the answer to that yet," she said. "We're looking at a number of issues, that being one of them."

Safety inspectors will conclude what happened, and they will have to be satisfied there are no mechanical problems before the ship will be allowed to set sail again, he said. The Coast Guard as well will conduct an investigation.

Cruises have become one of fastest growing segments of the travel industry during the past 25 years. As a result, the majority of cruise lines have come under scrutiny for poor ship safety. There have been numerous cruise ship fires resulting in deaths and serious injuries.

On March 23, 2006, the Carnival Star Princess cruise ship caught fire. The cruise ship fire left one person dead, 11 other passengers injured, and damaged 150 cabins. Passengers on the ship had barely enough time to throw on clothing, and life jackets. The Star Princess was sailing from Grand Cayman to Montego Bay, Jamaica, when fire erupted on a balcony and spread to four decks.

In addition, the ship fire left a large charred spot on the cruise ship's exterior. The Passengers joined together sitting in lounges or hallways from about 3 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2006. The fire was the latest setback for the world's largest cruise operator.

It was several hours later when passengers learned all the details of the fire that gutted the central portion of the cruise ship, which was on its way to Jamaica from the Cayman Islands. Officials with Princess Cruises believe a cigarette left on a cabin balcony caused the fire.

The four voyages remaining on the Star Princess to the Caribbean will be canceled, Carnival Cruise officials stated. As a result, Carnival will pay refunds on trips departing Port Everglades, Fla., on April 9, 16, 23 and 30. The trips scheduled for March 26 and April 2 had already been canceled. Passengers will also get another 25% off a future cruise.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cruise ship accident, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified maritime injury attorney.