Coronavirus: Couple stuck on infected cruise sue ship operator for $1 million
The lawsuit alleges that the couple did not receive screening or examination before they boarded the vessel
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An American couple stuck on the Grand Princess Cruise ship has filed a lawsuit for more than $1 million in damages against the ship’s operator, Princess Cruise Lines Ltd, a unit of Carnival Corp.
Ronald and Eva Weissberger of Broward County, Florida have claimed that the company put profits over safety and did not have proper screening protocols in place.
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Los Angeles, details how the couple alleges they did not receive screening or examination before they boarded the vessel.
The cruise ship was linked to 12 coronavirus cases from an earlier voyage to Mexico.
The couple has alleged that the company caused them emotional distress and trauma as they fear they will contract the virus after being forced to remain on-board the ship where people have been confirmed to be infected.
In a statement provided to CNN, Princess Cruises responded saying: “Princess has been sensitive to the difficulties the Covid-19 outbreak has caused to our guests and crew.
“Our response throughout this process has focused on the well-being our guests and crew within the parameters mandated on us by the government agencies involved and the evolving medical understanding of this new illness.
“We (sic) not been served with any lawsuit relating to this matter, and we will not comment on any pending litigation.”
Princess is refunding passengers the full price of the cruise plus air travel, hotel, ground transportation, and pre-paid shore excursions.
The couple’s complaint read: “Defendant Princess chose to place profits over the safety of its passengers, crew and the general public in continuing to operate business as usual, despite their knowledge of the actual risk of injury to plaintiffs, who are elderly with underlying medical conditions.”
The complaint did not identify the Weissbergers’ medical conditions or provide their ages.
The ship, which holds 3,500 passengers, was forced to stay out at sea after at least 21 people on board tested positive for Covid-19.
The vessel has remained about 10 miles off the coast of San Francisco for days.
Princess Cruises confirmed that the disembarkation of guests onboard Grand Princess is expected to begin today in the Port of Oakland.
The lawsuit said that the cruise operator should have developed methods for protecting passengers after the deaths of passengers on another of its cruise liners, the Diamond Princess.
Six people on board the Diamond Princess died including one British holidaymaker, while 700 others became infected with the virus.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments