Transit companies that operate commercial aircraft and cruise ships have a duty to protect all their passengers from preventable harm to the fullest extent possible while they are on board. Unfortunately, it has recently become clear that many companies in these industries are not as diligent as they should be in proactively preventing sexual abuse on their planes and ships. This negligence has led to far too many people—including many minors—suffering lifelong harm.
When people experience sexual abuse on cruise ships and airlines, they may have grounds to file a lawsuit against more than one person for sustaining physical, psychological, and financial losses because of that abuse. However, pursuing such a claim can be challenging under any circumstances and especially so if you try to do it without professional support. Therefore, you should strongly consider seeking help from the experienced sexual abuse attorneys at Phillips Law Group before filing a suit on your own.
Are Transportation Companies Liable for Sexual Abuse?
Just as most other employers, cruise ship and airplane operating companies can be held vicariously liable for their employees’ misconduct, including sexual abuse of a passenger by a worker due to a lack of supervision or insufficient background checks. In some circumstances, these companies can also be legally liable for assaults committed against passengers by other passengers, especially in cases such as a cruise ship cabin door that does not lock properly.
The fact that cruise ships and planes frequently travel through or over international waters can complicate the process of determining which state—or even which country—has jurisdiction over a sexual abuse lawsuit. A capable legal professional can determine the best procedural path forward for a particular claim and ensure that everyone at fault for sexual abuse is held accountable.
Recovering Short-Term and Long-Term Losses
Under traditional personal injury law, the initial focus of a lawsuit or settlement demand over sexual assault on a ship or airplane is typically on the physical injuries caused by the assault and then on compensable losses resulting directly from those injuries, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Loss of income and reduced working capacity
- Physical pain resulting from the initial injury and during the healing process
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to short-term disability
The psychological effects of sexual abuse often last far longer than any physical trauma. Therefore, a comprehensive claim for sexual abuse should account for various mental and emotional damages. A dedicated sexual abuse lawyer can help a claimant demand restitution for emotional anguish, psychological trauma, lost overall quality of life, and out-of-pocket expenses stemming specifically from the mental impact of such mistreatment.
Seek Help From an Injury Attorney for Sexual Abuse on a Ship or Plane
Traveling alongside many others should never put you or anyone else at risk of suffering long-lasting harm from sexual assault. Sexual abuse on cruise ships and airlines is a serious problem worldwide. Much of that abuse is attributable partially or even largely to negligence by transportation companies.
You have support available for whatever legal action you wish to pursue from the dedicated sexual abuse lawyers at Phillips Law Group. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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