Record payout for cruise injury

In 2006, British fitness instructor Danny Simpson slipped on a wet area of floor in the spa of Norwegian Cruise Line's ‘Norwegian Crown’. He has been awarded $9.5 million for the resulting injuries

Simpson was employed by Steiner Transocean which operated the spa facilities on the ship. It seems that he had just finished conducting a fitness class for passengers on board when a woman who had been using a treadmill in the adjacent area was sick on the floor. A cleaner came and washed the area, but didn’t dry it adequately and as a result Simpson slipped and seriously injured his back. The case hinges on the fact that the cleaner in question, employed by NCL, told Simpson and his supervisor that the floor was ready to be used, making the cleaner negligent in ensuring safety.

While the cleaner worked for Norwegian Cruise Line, the case has been brought against Steiner, the spa operator. Simpson has endured pain and suffering as well as huge medical costs. It’s reported that he and his wife have already been forced to borrow around $120,000 to pay the costs of his current medical care and that future costs for medical treatment will be at least $380,000 – there’s also the $100,000 estimated costs of living for the next 24 months while he recovers from his major spinal surgery and retrains for a new career, but most of the payment is for his pain and suffering, as the accident has left him incontinent and impotent.

Where does this leave cruise passengers who are hurt in shipboard accidents? Probably exactly where they were before – Steiner is appealing the amount awarded and passengers are not employees: the cruise line and associated companies providing services do not have the same duty of care for holidaymakers who, anyway, should have insurance to protect them during their holidays.