The ‘selfie’ has gained so much popularity over the years that it has become a common term used in regular conversation and has become an art form for many people, particularly on the popular social networking site Instagram. However, according to a recent study capturing the ultimate selfie can come with a cost. A number of accidents and even deaths have occurred in recent years from taking selfies. The majority of these accidents has been connected to heights, and involves people falling off building or mountains while trying to take dangerous selfies.
This trend has also been reflected in the cruise industry as cruise passengers have been the victims of selfie-related accidents while on the ship. One of the most recent incidents occurred on the evening of March 6, 2018, when a female passenger fell overboard from the Norwegian Epic as it was sailing in the Bahamas. Fortunately, she survived the fall from the ship. Witnesses on the ship said that the woman appeared intoxicated and was snapping a selfie moments before she fell overboard.
Carnegie Melon University reported in a 2016 study that 127 selfie-related deaths have occurred across the globe since 2014.
The number of selfie-related deaths has now officially exceeded the number of deaths due to shark attacks. The report also indicated that selfie-related accidents have gone from 15 reported in 2014 to 39 reported in 2015 and 73 reported in September 2016. This increase is notable over the course of just a few years.
Selfie-related accidents can result in physical harm and even death. They can also result in property damage and huge financial loss. An example of this happened in July 2017 in Los Angeles where a woman was trying to take a selfie in a pop-up museum of sculptures when she fell and destroyed over $200,000 of art.
In 2015, another woman was taking selfies in front of a wild bison while in Yellowstone National Park. The bison ended up attacking the woman, and as a result she suffered serious injuries.
We hope that by sharing the report that people who are taking selfies will do so responsibility, avoiding inherently dangerous situations.
INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY: 1-866-597-4529
If you have been injured on your cruise, on a wet and slippery deck, down a poorly lit staircase or steep gangway, in port on an excursion, or on a tender boat- it is important that you speak as soon as possible with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims against cruise lines. Most cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Costa, Regents Seven Seas and Oceania require that claims against them be pursued in a very specific place under very strict deadlines. Failure to comply with each individual cruise lines deadlines can result in a complete loss of any and all legal rights.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991. We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits. You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering. Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.
