Injured on a cruise
The wife of a Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU) member who broke her wrist on the second day of a family cruise has received more than £10,000 in compensation.
The 46-year-old, from Accrington in Lancashire, fell while aboard the Navigator of the Seas during a two week Mediterranean cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
She was walking out onto the deck of the cruise ship when she slipped on melted ice cream which had spilt from a faulty machine.
She broke her wrist and was rushed to the ship’s onboard health centre but had to wait two days before she could be taken to hospital in Monaco where her wrist was set.
She had to take several weeks off work as a result of the injury. Once she returned to work she was on light duties for months. Her wrist is now recovered but she still suffers from pain during cold weather.
Accident completely ruined holiday
Her husband, a retained firefighter, contacted his union the FBU which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for accident compensation.
He said: “It was a relief to know we had the FBU’s backing to pursue a claim for compensation. I knew that their free legal services extended to family members but I wasn’t sure if they would cover holiday claims as well.
“This accident completely ruined our holiday and my wife was forced to take sick leave from her job. The cruise company should have replaced the faulty machine before such an accident could happen.”
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines admitted liability and replaced the ice cream machine when the ship docked in Monaco.
Holiday Injury Claims
General Secretary at the FBU Matt Wrack said: “Too often our members have what is supposed to be a relaxing holiday, destroyed by accidents which could easily have been avoided. We are only too pleased to support holiday injury claims.
“In the lead up to the summer months many of our members will be thinking about taking a break abroad and they can be reassured that if they do get hurt due to someone else's fault as part of the free legal service for FBU members we would be happy to help.”
Imogen Wetton of Thompsons added: “Holidaymakers travelling on cruise ships are protected by the Athens Convention. Under the convention these operators must ensure they provide a safe environment for their passengers. In this case Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines failed to do so.”
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