Cruise Line to Pay $11.5 Million to Settle Over Passenger Death
Background
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has agreed to pay $11.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a passenger who fell from a ship in 2019. The settlement was reached just days before the case was set to go to trial.
The lawsuit was filed by the family of Dianne Burkhart, who died after falling from the balcony of her stateroom on the Royal Caribbean ship Oasis of the Seas. The family alleged that the cruise line was negligent in failing to prevent Burkhart's death.
Settlement Details
Under the terms of the settlement, Royal Caribbean will pay $11.5 million to Burkhart's family. The settlement also includes a number of safety measures that the cruise line has agreed to implement, including:
- Installing new safety netting on all balconies
- Increasing the height of balcony railings
- Providing additional safety training for crew members
Company Statement
In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that it "deeply regrets the tragic loss of Ms. Burkhart" and that the settlement "reflects our commitment to safety." The cruise line also said that it has already implemented a number of the safety measures included in the settlement.
Legal Experts
Legal experts say that the settlement is a significant victory for Burkhart's family and could lead to changes in the way that cruise lines operate. "This settlement sends a clear message to cruise lines that they need to take passenger safety seriously," said one expert.
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