Who Is Responsible For On-Shore Excursion Injuries?
Major cruise companies aim to provide their guests with a variety of activities to ensure they enjoy their vacations. One of these offerings is on-shore excursions. On-shore excursions include everything from specialized shopping trips to mountain hikes. These activities are meant to be enjoyable, but the reality is that people sometimes walk away from these experiences with injuries. In this instance, the question of who is responsible often arises. If you have found yourself in this type of scenario, learn more about what you could face in terms of determining responsibility.
Ownership
Often time, cruise companies advertise these on-shore excursions as a service offered by a third-party. However, things aren't always as they seem. In some instances, the cruise company actually owns the excursion company, even if they don't make this information readily available.
As a result, if a person is injured while enjoying one of these activities, they often have the option to target the cruise ship company directly for compensation. An attorney can research the ownership records of a company to see who is the legal owner, and therefore, the responsible party.
Liability Waivers
Some activities require guests to sign a liability waiver. Typically, these waivers aim to absolve the company of any responsibility in the event someone is injured. However, while these documents often seem scary, just because you signed one of these documents does not necessarily mean that you cannot seek compensation.
In some instances, when a person signs one of these agreements and the actions of the company are grossly negligent, the waiver of liability can be tossed out and the company still held liable. This factor is the case whether the excursion company is operated by the cruise ship company or a third-party.
Warning of Danger
Another factor that might influence who is responsible for an on-shore excursion is whether or not there were any warnings of danger. It is the responsibility of the cruise ship company to notify each guest of the possible dangers involved in a particular activity.
These warnings should include a variety of information, including a notification of risk to people with certain conditions, such pregnancy or high blood pressure, or the risk of certain injuries, such as neck strain. If a person is injured and this information was not provided, the cruise ship company could be to blame.
It's always a good idea to speak directly with an attorney to find out who is responsible for your injuries.
If you are someone that is considering a cruise, make sure to look into services offered by a cruise ship accident lawyer.
