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Cruise lines ordered to pay millions over medical failures
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd aims to appeal after being hit with $3.38 million in damages awarded by a federal jury in Miami.
The compensation is payable to the family of a passenger who died of a heart attack sustained during a cruise in 2016.
The suit successfully argued the ship’s doctor, Dr. Amanda Saunders, made errors in diagnosing the condition.
According to the complaint, Richard Puchalski went to the infirmary on Explorer of the Seas with shortness of breath.
He was given medication for ‘a septal infarction’ and sent back to his stateroom.
He then collapsed in his room about half an hour later.
"There was an additional significant delay before he was transferred ashore," the lawsuit alleged.
He died four days later in an Alaska hospital.
"Until the cruise line industry makes the long-overdue, necessary changes to the standard of care, more families will suffer these life changing tragedies," said Michael Haggard, lawyer for Puchalski’s family.
"We respectfully disagree with the outcome of this case. We are considering our legal options, and we intend to appeal the decision," said Royal Caribbean rep, Owen Torres.
The latest award comes just days after Norwegian Cruise Line was orderd to pay $2.084 million to passenger Ow Buland.
This time Buland just about survived the heart attack but damage was exacerbated due to keeping Buland on the ship until it docked in Miami two days later.
In the suit he ‘was assured by ship’s medical personnel that the heart attack was very minor and that he would be okay to remain on the vessel.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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