Water slides are one of the biggest attractions on cruise ships. While they offer fun for the whole family, it is still important to be aware of the safety risks that they can pose. There have been many serious injuries as a result of negligent maintenance, installation, and operation of waterslides aboard cruise ships.

Causes of Cruise Ship Water Slide Accidents

Negligent maintenance has led to dangerous conditions such as decreased water flow, and rough sliding surfaces. When this happens riders can get stuck in the slide and struck by the next rider coming down. Negligent maintenance has also led to sharp or jagged edges on the slides which have caused serious cuts and lacerations.

Many modern cruise ship water slides rival those found on land. They are large, allow riders to go fast, and have extreme rises, drops, and curves. Unfortunately, negligent design and installation have led to many injuries. One of the most common dangers caused by poor design and installation is the inability of some riders to make it all the way through the slide without getting stuck somewhere in the middle. When this happens, collisions can occur which can cause serious injuries. Poor design and installation can also lead to leaks which can lead to wet and slippery floors.

Negligent operation and supervision of cruise ship water slides may cause more injuries than any other water slide hazard. Many slides require at least two crew members for safe operation. Typically, there will be one perosn at the top and another at the bottom of the slide. The crew member at the top is supposed to wait for the crew member at the bottom to signal that the coast is clear for the crew member at the top to send a rider down. Frequently, however, there are not enough crew members to operate the slide safely or the crew members don’t adequately communicate with one another and a rider is sent down the slide before the the previous rider has gotten out of the way. The collisions that result from this type of negligence often cause serious injuries to both riders.

Cruise Ship Water Slide Injuries

Water slide injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious conditions such as broken legs and ankles to back injuries to traumatic brain injuries. If you have sustained an injury on a cruise ship due to a water slide defect or unsafe conditions surrounding the pool area, our firm has the experience and proficiency necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Cruise Ship Water Slide Accident Attorney

If you have been injured due to a cruise line water slide accident, it is best to consult with an experienced maritime attorney with experience dealing with the cruise lines who can advise you of your legal rights and remedies. The Probst Law Firm has extensive experience in handling cruise line negligence matters, including water slide and pool area accidents. Geoffrey Probst has a unique understanding of the cruise line industry, having served as both defense counsel for cruise lines and plaintiff’s counsel for cruise guests who were wrongfully injured. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation in Atlanta, Georgia or Weston, Florida.