When the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground the island of Giglio, thousands of passengers were forced from their cabins to flee for lifeboats. It was a vacationer’s worst nightmare — a shipwreck that left dozens injured, at least 16 dead and 16 missing. Now, the ship’s owner and operator, Carnival Cruise Line subsidiary Costa Crociere line is offering to compensate passengers for their suffering. The company has asked each survivor to accept 11,000 euros, or $14,460, and payment for five counseling sessions in return for not filing lawsuits. The cruise line will also reimburse passengers for the cost of cruise tickets and travel expenses, as well as lost luggage and personal items.
Many passengers have reportedly refused the offer, feeling that the monetary settlement would come nowhere close to compensating them for edical expenses, pain and suffering. Others have noted that a handful of sessions with a therapist would do little to help them deal with lingering problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
No amount of money can make the psychological trauma go away, but Costa Crociere needs to do it can to address passengers’ physical, emontional and economic struggles stemming from the shipwreck. It is irresponsible for the cruise line to think a one-size-fits-all payment will do the job.
If you’re ever in a situation like this, it’s best to consult with an attorney about your legal options. Blindly accepting the first offer a company makes is never the best idea.
CD