Royal Caribbean Cruises says it will appeal after being ordered to pay $3.38 million compensation to the family of a passenger who died of a heart attack during a cruise.
A federal jury in Miami found the Explorer of the Seas doctor, Amanda Saunders, made errors diagnosing the passenger’s condition.
According to the complaint, Richard Puchalski went to the ship’s infirmary with shortness of breath. He was given medication for ‘a septal infarction’ and sent back to his cabin.
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.
Buland survived a heart attack onboard but damage was exacerbated due to keeping Buland on the ship until it docked in Miami two days later.
