Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships: Risks, Incidents, and More
Carbon monoxide can cause serious illness, medical complications, and even death. You may be able to sue a cruise ship company for damages from carbon monoxide poisoning. These can be complex cases to litigate, so seek help from our maritime injury lawyers right away.
High-risk areas for carbon monoxide poisoning include small enclosed spaces like decks, the back of the boat near engine exhaust ports, and cabins near engine rooms. Top causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include poor ventilation, back-drafting, poor maintenance, and faulty equipment. Cruise ships can be liable for carbon monoxide poisoning due to negligence, and affected victims may seek economic and non-economic damages.
You can call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 to have a free and confidential case discussion with our cruise ship injury lawyers today.
What Are High-Risk Areas for Carbon Monoxide on a Cruise Ship?
Carbon monoxide can accumulate and endanger passengers because of cruise ship engine exhaust fumes or leaks. Carbon monoxide is an unavoidable byproduct of running cruise ship engines, and this poisonous gas has many ways of reaching passengers.
Enclosed Spaces
Small enclosed spaces, like enclosed balconies, are high-risk areas for carbon monoxide poisoning on cruise ships. When engines are running, balconies and other poorly ventilated areas may trap carbon monoxide, exposing passengers.
Engine Exhaust Ports
The rear of the ship is where exhaust ports are located, so it is typically the part of the ship where passengers are most at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Towards the back of the vessel is the “aft,” and there is often a pool or other areas for passengers to congregate.
Exhaust is blown out of the exhaust ports, generally at the back of the ship. Even if there is no carbon monoxide leak on the ship, exhaust fumes could accumulate in that area, affecting passengers.
Cabins Near Engine Rooms
Any crew or passenger cabins near engine rooms or exhaust ports can also be high-risk areas for carbon monoxide poisoning on cruise ships. Some cruises put staff cabins closer to engine rooms rather than passenger cabins, potentially increasing their risk of carbon monoxide poisoning while working.
What Are the Top Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Causes on Cruise Ships?
Leaks are not the only cause of carbon monoxide poisoning on cruise ships, and they are relatively rare. More common causes include poor ventilation and back-drafting.
Poor Ventilation
Poor ventilation leads to a build-up of carbon monoxide and increases the risk of illness or death in enclosed spaces. Open decks are not especially high-risk areas for carbon monoxide poisoning, unless there is an exhaust port nearby.
Back-Drafting
Back-drafting, also known as the “station wagon effect,” occurs when a ship is moving at slow speeds or idling, and wind blows exhaust back in the direction of the ship to be inhaled by passengers and crew. Idling too close to another cruise ship could allow carbon monoxide from the other ship to reach passengers and make them sick.
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance is another top cause of carbon monoxide poisoning on cruise ships. Ships should have marine carbon monoxide detectors in engine rooms and around other machinery that produces engine and generator exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so these detectors are the only way to know about a dangerous concentration of the gas in the area.
Regular engine maintenance and inspections are crucial for catching leaks and other problems before they worsen and potentially harm passengers. Ignoring this responsibility can lead to carbon monoxide leaks that cause illness or even death.
FAQs About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships
What Are Common Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships?
The following are some of the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
Long-term symptoms include memory loss and personality changes.
What Are Typical Damages from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships?
Damages for brain damage, cardiovascular failure, or other serious health complications from carbon monoxide poisoning include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you sustained an injury after losing consciousness because of carbon monoxide poisoning, you can also get economic and non-economic damages.
Who is Liable for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships?
The cruise ship is most likely liable for carbon monoxide poisoning and the damages it causes to passengers. If the leak is due to fault equipment or is undetected by a faulty marine carbon monoxide detector, the manufacturer might be liable.
How Long Do You Have to Sue for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on a Cruise Ship?
Passengers who suffer injuries or medical complications from carbon monoxide poisoning may have 1 year to bring compensation claims. You may also have to satisfy the cruise ship’s notice of claim requirement within 6 months, so do not delay your case.
What if Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships is Fatal?
If carbon monoxide poisoning on a cruise ship turns fatal, you may be able to file a wrongful death case against the cruise ship company. The Death on the High Seas Act governs maritime wrongful death claims, and our cruise ship injury lawyers have experience in this area. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal within minutes, or it might cause serious health conditions that prove fatal hours or days after.
How Common is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Cruise Ships?
Carbon monoxide poisoning on cruise ships is rare but may occur when staff fail to replace detectors, a ship idles for too long with the engine on without accounting for back-drafting, or when cruise ships fail to regularly inspect engine equipment to ensure there are no gas leaks onboard.
Get Compensation for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on a Cruise Ship
Call our cruise ship injury lawyers at (305) 204-5369 to have Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. review your case for free.
