What Happens If You Hurt Yourself on the Queen Mary?
The RMS Queen Mary had a long and rich history as a premiere North Atlantic Ocean liner for more than 30 years. Since 1967, she’s been moored at Long Beach harbor in Long Beach, California. Since then, she’s become a popular tourist attraction, event space, and even a hotel! When the Queen Mary was purchased by the City of Long Beach, the ship underwent several renovations and changes to make the experience more appealing and accommodating for visitors. The owners removed the entire forward engine room, the boiler rooms, ship stabilizers, and other necessary components that any ship needs for it to travel long distances in the ocean. Thankfully, the Queen Mary wasn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
With all the fun and entertainment that can be found onboard, it important to remember that you’re still on a large sea vessel that resides in the ocean. With any vessel, especially one as large as the Queen Mary, serious accidents can occur if patrons aren’t careful. The ship is old, and must be maintained properly by the property managers to insure that hazards and pitfalls do not spring up and cause visitors harm.
I Was Injured While On The Queen Mary. Now What?
Since the Queen Mary is owned by the City of Long Beach, it is the responsibility of the city to ensure the modified ship is safe, maintained, and in proper condition. Unfortunately, despite the city’s best efforts, accidents have been known to occur aboard the vessel. The tragic story of one woman who fell to her death in 2011 is just one example of the dangers to be wary of while enjoying the pleasantries of the ship. In 2015, another woman lost her grip and fell over the boat’s railing, receiving several right-arm fractures and other injuries.
Over the decades, Queen Mary has been at the center of a number of concerning legal matters. In 2013, a Disability Act lawsuit was brought alleging that several areas of the ship were inadequately equipped for wheelchair users. And just this year, the ship’s hotel came under fire after one couple alleged that their room was infested with bed bugs. In both of these cases, the defendant in the lawsuits was the City of Long Beach.
The City of Long Beach has an obligation to properly maintain all walkways, ensure accessibility for all visitors, and prevent any potential dangers on the Queen Mary. If you or someone you know has been injured while enjoying any of the various services the ship has to offer, you may be able to seek financial compensation to cover your damages. If the injury was caused by the negligence of the City, then it could be held liable.
Contact The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV Today!
Sustaining an injury due to improper maintenance on a ship is a frightening event. It can also be frightening to fight a legal battle against powerful owners of the ship who have teams of lawyers looking to shoot down your case. That’s where The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV can help. We have the experience, talent, and knowledge necessary to guide you through this complex legal process. We are committed to aggressively representing your case and getting you the financial compensation you deserve. To get started, contact our office at (562) 901-0840 for a free evaluation with a skilled Long Beach personal injury attorney.