Saga Cruise Ship Personal Injury Claims Guide
In this guide, we will discuss areas in regards to making a Saga Cruise ship accident personal injury claim. We will also examine some of the ways in which you could be injured and whether there are any injuries or illnesses which could be common to passengers or crew on a cruise ship.
Taking a trip on a cruise ship is often the holiday of a lifetime, but suffering an injury or becoming sick on your cruise could lead to a ruined experience. Accidents or illnesses could also lead to you not just suffering during the voyage itself, but also after you return home. You may face further costs or continue to experience the effects of an illness or injury.
Cruise lines, operators and onboard crew & staff go to great lengths to reduce or eliminate any risks of either passengers or crew being injured or becoming sick during each voyage. Whilst time is at a premium on turnaround days, every step is still taken to minimise potential risks. Before a ship’s first voyage a full risk analysis will be conducted and recommendations put in place. However, despite these steps, simple errors or instances of negligence could still happen and cause injury.
If you fell ill or were injured whilst travelling or working on a cruise due to negligence or error on the part of the operator, you could possibly make a cruise ship compensation claim with one of our specialist holiday injury solicitors.
Select A Section
- A Guide To Ship Accident Personal Injury Claims On A Saga Cruise
- Cruise Ship Injuries And Illnesses That Could Happen
- Accidents You Could Have On A Cruise Ship
- Saga Cruise Line Duty Of Care To Guests
- Accident At Sea And Cruise Ship Claim Time Limits
- Cruise Ship Cabin And Accommodation Injury Claims
- Cruise Ship Transfer Road Traffic Accidents
- Cruise Ship Transfer Tender Boat Accidents
- Cruise Ship Norovirus And Food Allergy Claims
- Accident Personal Injury Claim Calculator
- What Can A Cruise Ship Accident Claim Compensate Me For?
- Steps To Make A Cruise Ship Accident Claim
- No Win No Fee Ship Accident Personal Injury Claims
- How Our Expert Team Could Help You
- How To Contact Us
- Helpful Holiday And Cruise Ship Accident Claim Guides
A Guide To Ship Accident Personal Injury Claims On A Saga Cruise
Saga Cruises are a cruise line operated as part of the Saga group and based in the UK. Currently they operate two large ocean going ships which are registered in Malta. As with all package holidays and tours organised and booked through Saga, the cruise ships are aimed at the over 50’s market. In addition to the main ocean cruises, they also operate and offer smaller ship cruises.
Current destinations and routes served include the British Isles, The Baltic Sea and Norwegian cruises, Mediterranean cruises, destinations in the Caribbean, Iceland and other destinations both in and out of Europe.
Current Fleet
Currently, Saga Cruises operate three vessels with a fourth due to enter service in 2019. These are;
- Spirit of Discovery,
- Spirit of Adventure
- Saga Sapphire
- Saga Pearl II
Cruise Ship Injuries And Illnesses That Could Happen
There are a variety of injuries and illnesses which could happen to people a cruise ship voyage. These could include (but are not limited to) instances of:
- Food poisoning or allergic reactions to foods,
- Other illnesses on a cruise caused by the ships crews negligence,
- Burn injuries due to hot coffee, hot tea or other liquids being spilled, burn injuries caused by a shower being far too hot, or food being served at the wrong temperature.
- Injuries related to exposure to toxic chemicals,
- Bed bug bite injuries,
- Legionnaires’ Disease,
- Head injuries due to slips or falls
- Broken bones or other musculoskeletal injuries.
This is not an exhaustive list of the different types of injury or illness which a guest or member of the ship’s crew could suffer during a voyage. To see information on how to avoid illness on a cruise, please see the NHS Fit For Travel guide in the resources section at the bottom of this guide.
If you suffered any of the injuries or illnesses listed above or one which we have not mentioned you could make a claim against the cruise line under the Athens Convention if there has been negligence or error on the part of the cruise provider. We will look at the role this international convention plays if making a Saga Cruise injury claim later in this guide.
Accidents You Could Have On A Cruise Ship
Some causes of accidents or circumstances in which could happen include;
- Slips and falls: these could be caused by broken stairways or handrails, they could also be caused by a walkway being slippery. An example could include having a head injury.
- People could also be injured in recreational areas such as in swimming pools or when using a gym if facilities have not been correctly maintained.
- Injuries during an excursion on the land, such as when participating in organised activities included in your package.
- Having an allergic reaction after eating a portion of food which you have a food allergy too and have previously informed staff of but been served anyway.
- Accidents when using an escalator, elevator or a lift.
- Injuries caused by objects which were not properly secured or stored falling onto you or crushing you.
- Poor ship hygiene, such as bed bug infestations.
- Burns.
- Instances of medical malpractice
- Wrongful deaths
To make a holiday injury claim for your Saga Cruise illness or injury talk to a personal injury solicitor today who can tell you if you are eligible to make a claim.
Saga Cruise Line Duty Of Care To Guests
Cruise ships, their operators and their staff or crew have the same duty of care to keep their passengers and guests safe as any other holiday operator or package holiday company’s.
If you booked your cruise as a package from the UK with a UK based company, you will be protected under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Ships at sea also need to comply with the SOLAS or International Convention for the Safety of Life At Sea. This requires ships to meet high standards of health and safety. Find information on this at the International Maritime Organisation.
Often, cruise ship claims are dealt with under the Athens Convention. Cruises will often stop at multiple ports in different countries as well as transiting through other third countries waters and international waters. Passing through multiple legal jurisdictions could complicate the process of making a cruise compensation claim. The Athens Convention relating to the carriage of passengers and luggage by sea 1974 facilitates this type of claim.
The convention can be applied when the departure or embarkation port is in a different country to the destination port. It can also be applied where the cruise embarks and disembarks from the same country but stops in other countries waters.
Cruise ship operators could be liable under the Athens Convention under the following circumstances;
- Incidents causing damage or loss occurring during the course of carriage (your cruise).
- Incidents causing damage or loss occurring due to the fault of negligence or neglect.
Under the Athen Convention, passengers can make their personal injury claim in the country most favourable to their claim. This means that even if your cruise travelled between two ports outside of the UK, you could claim compensation in the UK.
Accident At Sea And Cruise Ship Claim Time Limits
If you have been injured on a cruise ship, you will need to be aware of the applicable personal injury claim time limit. Whether you suffered food poisoning or were injured in a slip, trip, or fall, your claim will need to be made within these time limits.
| Type of cruise ship claim | Personal injury claim time limit |
|---|---|
| Accidents at sea claimed for under the Athens Convention. | 2 year from the date of disembarking the ship. |
| Illness and injury suffered while on a package holiday booked in the UK by a UK tour operator. | 3 years. |
Personal injury claim time limits for an accident on holiday when on a cruise ship can vary. Please consult a cruise ship accident lawyer before making your claim, call us today to see what time limit your case falls into.
Cruise Ship Cabin And Accommodation Injury Claims
When we look at accommodation accidents or injuries on a cruise ship, we are looking at those occurring in the accommodation areas onboard the ship. This could include your cabin or suite or a balcony attached to your cabin, as well as your ensuite bathroom facility.
You could have slipped over on a damaged floor or because of damage to your balcony area. You could also suffer burn injuries if the shower is damaged and water which is scaldingly hot comes out. If your bed was in some way damaged or broken, you could even suffer a back injury. Or, if the room has not been adequately cleaned, you could be bitten by bed bugs.
We could help you to make a Saga Cruise injury claim as long as we can show that the cruise line was at fault and due to this you was injured directly.
Cruise Ship Transfer Road Traffic Accidents
As part of your cruise ship package holiday, you may have booked and paid for transfers on land. These could have been transfers to your ship from a specific location, or it could be a bus or coach transfer. You could also have used pre-booked and inclusive bus or coach transfers to activities on land when in port as part of your cruise. If you were involved in an accident on a cruise ship transfer, please call our team to see if you are eligible for damages.
Cruise Ship Transfer Tender Boat Accidents
At some ports on your cruise, your ship might not be able to get fully into the port. In such cases, guests will be transported to land via tender transfers. These are smaller boats often carried by cruise ships allowing them to access additional ports.
If you were injured whilst being transferred to or from your cruise ship because of negligence on the part of the ship’s crew, or due to a lack of correct maintenance, you could be able to make a cruise ship accident claim.
Cruise Ship Norovirus And Food Allergy Claims
If you suffer from food allergies, you will be aware that you need to avoid certain foods which you react to. The cruise ship and catering crew are responsible for ensuring that such allergens are clearly marked and that your requests to avoid these ingredients in your food are adhered to. If you were served foods on your Saga Cruise which you were allergic to, having previously informed the catering staff you could be able to make a Saga cruise illness claim.
Norovirus typically causes diarrhoea and sickness as well as vomiting. It will often only last a brief period, but be extremely unpleasant. If you have suffered an illness on a Saga cruise, such as norovirus or food poisoning, speak to a personal injury solicitor to discuss your case.
Accident Personal Injury Claim Calculator
In any personal injury claim, the claimant will typically be awarded two types of damages of compensation. These are settlements based on your injury or the illness you suffered and those which take into account the wider impact of your accident or illness.
In the table below, we have included examples of what some forms of injury and illness could be awarded in compensation. Whilst these figures are based on the guidelines from the Judicial College and correct at the time of publication, your settlement may differ.
| Injury Type | Compensation Brackets | Injury Information |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Neck Injury | Up to £2,150 to £6,920 | Lower bracket is for full recovery within several months to neck injuries that last from 1/2 years that possibly acceleration and/or exacerbation injuries. Injuries of this kind tend to be soft tissue in nature. |
| Minor Back Injury | Up to £2,150 to £10,970 | Injuries in these brackets tend to be concerned with length of time of injury, severity, ability to work etc and include injuries such as sprains disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries. |
| Moderate or Minor Injury to the Elbow | Up to £11,040 | Brackets include: simple fractures, tennis elbow syndrome and lacerations. |
| Very Minor Wrist Injuries | £3,090 to £4,160 | Undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures and soft tissue injuries. |
| Fracture of Index Finger | £7,990 to £10,730 | Fracture has been repaired, not fully able to grip. |
| Moderate Hip Injury | £23,310 to £34,340 | Hip replacement or surgery needed or necessary in the future to significant pelvis or hip injury but permanent disability not a great risk. |
| Moderate Knee Injury | Up to £12,050 to £22,960 | Twisting and bruising of the knee where recovery is almost complete to dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus which results in minor instability, and minor disability. |
| Modest Ankle Injuries | Up to £12,050 | Less serious, minor or undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligamentous injuries. |
| Food Poisoning | £3,460 to £8,360 | Varying degree of cramps accompanied by diarrhoea to significant abdominal pain, alteration of the bowel and fatigue. |
| Trivial Scarring | £1,500 to £3,090 | Scarring is minor. |
What Can A Cruise Ship Accident Claim Compensate Me For?
In addition to the compensation set out above for the actual injury or illness which affected you, there are other things which your claim could compensate you for. Whilst there may be many different things which you could include in your claim, some of those most commonly claimed for are;
The costs of medical treatment in the UK or abroad, physical therapy, aftercare, medication and the costs of any care around the home you need over the short, medium, or long term. Even if you have not had to meet these costs yet, but can show that you will have to in the future, you could claim compensation for them.
You could also recover the costs of unexpected and additional travel related to your injury. This could include the costs to repatriation back to the UK in an emergency, the cost of getting home if you had to break your journey and the cost of getting to and from your medical appointments.
Has your income been affected in any way by your accident? If so, you could claim compensation for any loss of income or workplace benefits that you have experienced.
There are a variety of other things and types of costs which you could claim compensation for. To find out what you could claim and how much you could be entitled to, speak to one of our expert advisors today.
Steps To Make A Cruise Ship Accident Claim
If you have been injured, there are steps which you could take both to ensure your health and safety, and to help if you come to make a Saga Cruise ship accident personal injury claim.
- Your first step after any injury or illness must be to make sure that you get any medical care and attention you need. As well as ensuring your health is taken care of, it also starts to create a record of your injury or illness. Cruise ships are equipped to handle a variety of medical needs and if unable to attend to you fully, will get you to port and the nearest hospital as fast as possible.
- Record as much as possible of what has happened to you. Steps you could take might include taking photos of your accident, and of your injury. If there was CCTV recording, ask for a copy of this and speak to any witnesses who could provide a statement to support your claim.
- Also, make sure to record and document all the costs and expenses you have to meet. If you need to pay for hospital treatment abroad at a port, or for any treatment back at home make sure you record anything you have had to pay for. If you also had costs to meet, or lost income when you got back to the UK, you could also claim for these. Always keep receipts as proof.
- Finally, contact a holiday injury solicitor who could help you to make a successful compensation claim if you have a valid claim.
No Win No Fee Ship Accident Personal Injury Claims
If you choose to work with Legal Expert on making your Saga Cruise package holiday accident claim you could benefit from using our no win no fee service. This allows the victim of a cruise ship, or other types of holiday accident claim compensation, without any need to pay up front fees. This type of contract is used to absolve a claimant from any potential costs whilst their claim is in progress and from having to pay solicitors fees in the event that their claim is unsuccessful. The agreement should also state that you only need to pay the solicitors fee if you do make a successful claim and this figure (set as a percentage of the final award) should be clearly shown to you in the agreement.
How Our Expert Team Could Help You
If you are intending to make a Saga Cruise ship accident personal injury claim, you may need to speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor to discuss the details of your case and to find out if you could make a claim. By talking to our experts for free, you can quickly and easily find out if you could make a claim for your specific case.
To have the best chance of making a Saga Cruise accident claim, you could work with a solicitor who is experienced in making this type of claim and dealing with the potential complexities which could arise when claiming for accidents on a cruise ship outside of UK waters.
How To Contact Us
There are several ways to contact the Legal Expert team. You can contact us by phoning 0800 073 8804. Our lines are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. You can also send an email requesting a call back to office@legalexper.co.uk. Finally, you could also request a call back from our team by using the contact form on the right of this page.
Helpful Holiday And Cruise Ship Accident Claim Guides
In this guide, we have provided you with information on how to make a cruise ship accident claim. However, we understand that you might still have some questions. That is why we have recommended that you also view these related claims guides and trusted external resources.
Cruise Ship Accident Claims
This is our main guide on how to claim compensation if you had a cruise ship accident.
Package Holiday Accident Claims
Cruises are very often sold as a package holiday and thus are subject to specific regulations and protections. Find out more in this guide.
NHS Fit For Travel – Cruise Ship Health
Healthcare advice for people intending to take a cruise, including advice on vaccinations you may need.
Other Guides Available To Read
- How To Claim For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Work
- John Lewis Personal Injury Claims Guide
- DFDS Seaways Ferries Personal Injury Claims Guide
- How To Claim Compensation Against A Romanian Lorry/HGV Driver?
- I Slipped In A Co-op Supermarket – Can I Claim?
- £23,000 Compensation For A Broken 5th Metatarsal Injury
- Sports Direct Accident Claims Guide
- Allergic Reaction After Eating In Patisserie Valerie – Can I Claim?
- Allergic Reaction After Eating At Pizza Hut – Can I Claim?
Edited By Melissa.
