Federal Judge Federico Moreno in Miami on Wednesday ruled that Norwegian Cruise Line must pay more than $13 million to the victims of a 2003 boiler explosion aboard one of its ships that killed eight workers and injured 10 others. Judge Moreno also levied a $1 million fine against the Miami-based cruise line. A follow-up hearing will be held in June to consider additional restitution issues.

The ruling was handed down in a case which a boiler in the engine room of the SS Norway cruise ship exploded and killed workers in the engine room on May 25, 2003 as the ship was docked at the Port of Miami. The explosion sent debris and a blast of steam through parts of the 43-year-old ship, once the world’s largest passenger vessel. No passengers were injured.

The cruise line admitted that it had “failed to insure that proper inspections, maintenance, and repairs of boiler components were carried out,” according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release. A preliminary report released in 2005 by the National Transportation Safety Board said the ship had a history of cracks on its boilers dating to the 1970s.

THE CRUISE LINES REQUIRE THAT YOU FILE SUIT AGAINST THEM IN A CERTAIN CITY AND STATE SPECIFIED IN YOUR TICKET. This is called in the law a “venue selection clause”. Buried in the fine print of your Passenger Contract Ticket, back many pages, there is a paragraph about where you have to sue them. It is usually toward the end of the ticket. No matter where you are from, no matter where you bought the ticket, no matter where you got on the ship, this rule applies.

 In all cases against Carnival Cruise Lines, you must file suit in Miami, Florida.
 In all cases against Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, you must file suit in Miami, Florida.
 In all cases against Celebrity Cruise Lines, you must file suit in Miami, Florida.
 In all cases against Norwegian Cruise Lines, you must file suit in Miami, Florida.

Other cruise lines specify other cities and states.

The right lawyer for your claim against a cruise line is a lawyer who is experienced at bringing claims against the cruise lines, who is located in the city and state where you have to file against the cruise lines, and who is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer.

If you have been injured on Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, or Norwegian Cruise Lines, you need a maritime lawyer with experience in passenger claims against the cruise lines and who is located in Miami, Florida. This includes all cases of personal injuries, slip and fall, trip and fall, and sexual assault and rape. Look for the one with experience (with maritime passenger claims against the cruise lines), location (in Miami, Florida), and Board Certification (as a Civil Trial Lawyer).

John H. (Jack) Hickey is that lawyer. Hickey Law Firm, P.A. is located in the heart of Miami, Florida. They represent cruise passengers from all over the United States and from around the world. Their clients live in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, Ohio, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama just to name a few.

John H. (Jack) Hickey was born and raised here in Miami. He represented the cruise lines for 17 years. For the last 11 years, he has been on the other side. Hickey is a Past President of the Dade County (Miami) Bar Association and is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

No matter where you live, no matter where you got on the ship, you need a lawyer here in Miami; CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION: 1.800.215.7117