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Fred Olsen pays five-figure sum to sick passenger, but denies liability
Fred Olsen has paid a five-figure out-of-court settlement to a guest but has not accepted liability for his illness.
The cruise line said it was cheaper to pay the settlement than to face lengthy and costly proceedings in court.
Frank Standen, 84, from Tunbridge Wells, claims he was struck down with Legionnaire’s disease while on a cruise with his wife on the MS Black Watch in 2011.
He had to be airlifted to hospital in Las Palmas where he was admitted to intensive care and was unconscious for three weeks.
Tests confirmed he was suffering with Legionnaires’ disease, a very serious lung infection usually caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated with legionella bacteria.
He spent seven weeks in hospital in Las Palmas before being transferred to Sevenoaks Hospital in the UK, where he spent a further five weeks.
The couple instructed expert travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the case and an out-of-court settlement was eventually reached.
In a statement Fred Olsen said it was sorry Mr Standen was seriously unwell but denied liability.
"As soon as his symptoms were discovered our ships doctors and nurses did everything possible to ensure he received the best treatment," it said.
"They quickly identified that Mr Standen would need to be taken to hospital and the ship arranged for a helicopter evacuation.
"Despite thorough and extensive testing there is no evidence to suggest that he contracted Legionnaires disease on board our ship. No other guests or crew were found ill on this or any other subsequent cruise.
"We do not accept liability for Mr Standen’s illness.
"Sadly, even though we deny liability, history has shown that sometimes making an out of court settlement is more cost-effective for the company – avoiding lengthy and costly proceedings in court."
Clare Pearson, a personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "We are delighted to have secured Frank and Patricia a settlement from Fred Olsen Cruises but it is disappointing that the cruise operator denied liability and waited until just before the case was due to go to trial to agree to settle.
"Hopefully the couple can now put this horrendous ordeal behind them and look forward to the future."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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