Strokes On Cruises

What is a Stroke?

Strokes are one of the most common and dangerous medical emergencies. Strokes occur when there is a loss of blood flow to the brain, usually due to either the blockage or rupture of an artery, or a hemorrhage where blood leaks into the brain. According to the CDC, every year over 795,000 Americans have a stroke, and every 3.5 minutes somebody dies from one. Seniors who are overweight and inactive, as well as who drink alcohol excessively are at a higher risk for strokes than most people; although strokes can rarely occur in younger and more fit people as well. The World Stroke Organization has pointed out that 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime.

Strokes have reached epidemic proportions, and have fatal or life-altering consequences. According to the Trust for America’s Health, “obesity rates continue to climb nationwide and within population groups”, which means Strokes will also continue to become more and more common throughout the country. Strokes can cause serious brain damage, partial or complete paralysis, speech impairment, and amnesia. A group of people particularly and historically susceptible to Strokes are cruise ship passengers.

What About Strokes on Cruise Ships?

The last place to have any kind of medical emergency is in the middle of the ocean. Unfortunately, cruise ship passengers who suffer serious injuries or life threatening emergencies are forced to either take a helicopter trip off their cruise ship when possible, or must seek help from the medical care available on board their ship. Cruise Ship medical centers, whether you take a Carnival Cruise or a Royal Caribbean Cruise, are often ill prepared to handle serious medical situations, and the doctors on board their ships are rarely if ever licensed to practice medicine in the United States.

The particular demographics who are most vulnerable to Strokes comprise a large part of your average cruise ship passenger population. The Mayo Clinic lists the following characteristics as the greatest risk factors for strokes:

Being Overweight
Physical inactivity
Heavy or Binge Drinking
Use of drugs, either recreationally or abusively.
High cholesterol
Diabetes

Strokes are therefore common across Cruises, as many of the elements listed above are prevalent among typical cruisers. Strokes, if not treated urgently, can become fatal. If a passenger suffers a stroke, which can happen quite suddenly, he must be treated efficiently and properly to avoid serious brain damage or potentially death. As aforementioned, cruise ship medical centers are often inadequate clinics which lack the necessary medicinal infrastructure, training, or professionalism to properly treat many common medical circumstances.

If you or somebody you know has suffered a stroke on a Cruise Ship, and feel as though the treatment was improper and subpar, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact our offices today so we can begin investigating your case, and start the fight for you!