What Do Cruise Ships Do in the Event of a Medical Emergency?

Cruise ships provide passengers with immediate treatment in the event of a medical emergency. Cruise ships have on-board medical facilities and medical staff. The medical staff will make every attempt to stabilize the passenger experiencing the medical emergency. 

In some cases, the cruise ship will transport the passenger to an on-shore medical facility for further treatment. The decision about transporting the passenger will come from the captain and medical staff. 

You can learn more about what cruise ships do in the event of a medical emergency with a cruise ship injury lawyer. An attorney can also help you determine if you have a claim for compensation after an accident on a cruise ship.

What Does a Cruise Ship Do in the Event of a Medical Emergency?

The medical crew on a cruise ship should provide immediate treatment in the event of a medical emergency. Medical crews cannot handle all medical conditions, so they often focus on stabilizing a passenger.

If the crew can treat your injury or illness, they will provide the necessary care, and you can return to your vacation. 

However, if the medical team does not have the right equipment or necessary training to fully address your condition, the ship will arrange to transport you to an on-shore facility where you can receive additional care. 

How Does the Cruise Ship Transport You to Another Facility?

The methods available to transport you to a different medical facility after a medical emergency on a cruise ship will vary. Some ships have options not available on other craft. Depending on your circumstances, the cruise ship may:

• Change course to bring you to a port
• Continue to the next planned stop to drop you off
• Transporting you to shore via a rapid boat
• Having you taken to shore by helicopter

The captain and the medical team will work together to make a decision about the best mode of transport. 

Does the Cruise Ship Pay for Medical Emergencies?

The cruise ship will try to avoid paying for your medical expenses after an emergency. However, the company may have to cover your losses if the emergency happened because of an act of negligence or misconduct.

An attorney will need to provide proof that you sustained injuries on a cruise due to negligence in order to file a claim on your behalf successfully. 

Note that the insurance company is unlikely to volunteer payment for your losses, which can become substantial if you need any type of medical care on a cruise. Most cruise lines do not accept insurance, so you can expect to pay for healthcare costs out of pocket. 

Funds Available if You Work with a Cruise Ship Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you file a legal claim for fair compensation for any losses you sustain due to an accident on a cruise ship. Depending on your situation, you may receive funds to pay for your:

• Emergency medical care
• Transport to a medical facility
• Medical procedures and medications
• Pain and emotional distress 
• Lost wages or reduced earning potential

An attorney can provide more detailed information about the money available in your situation. 

What if the Cruise Ship Worsens a Medical Emergency?

You may have a chance to file a legal claim if a medical practitioner on a cruise ship provides you with improper treatment or engages in malpractice. In this situation, you can rely on a cruise ship medical malpractice lawyer to build your claim. 

Healthcare workers on cruise ships have a duty to provide a certain level of care to passengers. If they fail to uphold this duty, they may need to cover your losses. 

What Happens in the Event of a Fatal Medical Emergency?

If an accident results in a fatal emergency on a cruise ship, the crew should notify the family and keep the remains in the onboard morgue. The ship may transport the remains to a nearby port, requiring family members to take steps to have the body of their loved one removed. 

In this situation, you may get legal help from a cruise ship wrongful death lawyer. An attorney can provide more information about what to do when a medical emergency on a cruise ship has fatal results. 

Learn More About What Happens After a Medical Emergency on a Cruise Ship

What do cruise ships do in the event of a medical emergency? They may have on-board medical staff to stabilize the patient and then arrange transport to an on-shore medical facility to provide further care.

Any medical procedures performed on a cruise ship can result in very high medical bills. Fortunately, a cruise ship lawyer could help you get compensation to cover these costs if someone else is liable for your injury or illness.

You can learn more about how to handle a medical emergency from our team at John Foy & Associates. We’re prepared to help, so reach out now for assistance.