MIAMI – A cruise passenger alleges he was injured while on a snorkeling trip.
Steven Ree filed a complaint on April 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Out Island Charters NV citing negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on June 9, 2014, while aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship Jewel of the Seas, he bought tickets for the Ultimate Beach and Snorkel Adventure, which is operated by the defendant. The suit states that towards the end of the subject excursion and while participants were riding in a zodiac-style boat, he was ejected from his seat, causing him to suffer severe and permanent personal injuries. He also alleges that his wife and minor child also suffered injuries as a result of the vessel being driven at a high speed.
The plaintiff holds Out Island Charters NV responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to provide a safe excursion, failed to properly supervise and oversee the excursion, failed to adequately warn passengers of the danger posed by riding the zodiac-style boat, failed to comply with adequate policies and procedures to ensure that the zodiac-style boat used for the shore excursion was reasonably safe and failed to ensure that properly trained and supervised persons operated the subject excursion.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for all damages recoverable under the law, including unliquidated damages and attorneys’ fees in this action, in an amount of more than $1,500,000. He is represented by Michael A. Winkleman and Peter J. Ridge of Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman PA in Miami.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 1:16-cv-21267