Our clients often ask us if their employer (whether it is a cruise line or shipping firm) can fire them for simply filing a maritime personal injury lawsuit. Our answer is that they can, but they will open themselves up to a claim for retaliatory discharge.
There were more boating accidents in Florida last year than any other state. A part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s mission is to reduce the number of boating accidents in the state. To this end, the FWC is committed to educate and provide resources to help Florida boaters stay safe and reduce boating accidents. The FWC offers the following tips to prevent a life threatening boating accident.
Brais & Brais’ lawyers filed suit against NCL on behalf of a passenger who asserts she was raped and sexually assaulted in a public bathroom aboard the Norwegian Sun cruise ship. On April 11, 2011, the passenger (whose name is kept confidential due to the extreme nature of this lawsuit) was participating in an NCL organized “pub crawl” whereby crewmembers took her and other guests throughout the cruise ship stopping briefly to drink at various bars. The complaint alleges the bartenders aboard the ship encouraged passengers to drink above their limits. At one stop the passenger refused the drink offered, but the bartender insisted she drink, returned the beverage to her and stated “no wastee, no wastee.” After the event, the passenger went to a public bathroom. While in a stall, she heard her name called. The next thing she knew, the door to the stall busted open, a man spun her around and raped her.
Sexual assaults and rapes do happen to cruise passengers. In fact, there are several claims of rape and sexual assaults aboard cruise ships each year. This problem was so prolific that in 2010 Congress enacted the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. This law is designed to enhance passenger safety aboard cruise ship and require cruise lines to report any rape or sexual assault of an American to the FBI.
Sexual Assault / Rape on cruise ships, unfortunately, happen with regulatory. Much is written about “crew on passenger” attacks, but not much is written about “passenger on passenger” attacks. This article is meant to give a maritime lawyer’s insight on a cruise line’s legal obligations and liabilities for such horrific situations involving the over serving of alcohol.
