Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Cruise Line Over Fatal Bacterial Infection

We recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of a passenger who tragically lost her life to a severe Vibrio infection after exposure to contaminated seawater in a cruise ship pool.

Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm waters, especially in regions like the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Vibrio infections are responsible for about 80,000 cases and 100 deaths annually in the US, with approximately 20% of individuals with wound infections succumbing to the illness within a few days. Coastal waters around Puerto Rico are known to harbor Vibrio bacteria, making exposure a significant risk.

The lawsuit includes the following allegations:

While the ship was in Puerto Rican waters, the cruise line filled its onboard pool with seawater. The lawsuit claims that the cruise line failed to properly filter, chemically treat, or disinfect the seawater before inviting passengers into the pool. Passengers were not warned about the potential presence of Vibrio bacteria in the water, putting them at serious risk of infection.

Tragically, our client dipped her legs into the pool while her family swam, unaware that a minor scratch on her leg made her susceptible to infection. In the following days, the infection spread rapidly. Despite receiving medical care, she ultimately passed away from vibriosis, a devastating and aggressive infection.

The lawsuit claims that the cruise line knew or should have known about the dangers posed by Vibrio in the water they used. Similar bacteria-related incidents have been documented in the region, underscoring the need for proper safety measures and passenger warnings.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, cruise ship injuries, slip and fall accidents, negligent security, and wrongful death claims. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to serving clients throughout the state of Florida, including Miami, Miami Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Coral Gables, Kendall, Hialeah, Homestead, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and other surrounding areas.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, call us at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation.