Would you take $14,460 payout in cruise ship disaster?
What’s the right amount of compensation for a ruined and traumatic cruise ship experience?
Let’s say you were asleep and suddenly you awoke to chaos, with everyone around you making a mad dash for life jackets and lifeboats. Even the captain had abandoned ship.
You made it to shore safely, but all of your baggage and other belongings were on the ship, which was nearly swallowed by the surrounding water. The only thing you were left with is the trauma of it all.
Carnival’s Costa Concordia thinks uninjured passengers on the cruise ship that went down Jan. 13 off Tuscany should get $14,460 (euro 11,000) apiece, according to an Associated Press report. The passengers also would be reimbursed for the full costs of the cruise and return travel expenses.
The deal does not apply to crew members or families who lost loved ones, according to the AP. The ship had 3,206 passengers from 61 countries on board when it went down. Authorities say16 bodies have been recovered; 16 were still missing Friday.
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104 comments Add your comment
Shawn
January 27th, 2012
12:56 pm
Nothing under 100K for those not seriously injured. The mental anguish is the worse part. Some of those people will never be able to enjoy a cruise again. Can you imagine.
Be Logical
January 27th, 2012
12:57 pm
well it all depends on if people had valuables that may be rare or not replaceable..it just depends on each individual circumstances.
Terry Danson
January 27th, 2012
12:59 pm
I have gone on some of their cruises. Twice they didn’t go to the port they said they would because “of problems out of their control”. They returned the money for the side trips we booked and port fees. They thought that was enough for a ruined vacation.
R
January 27th, 2012
1:01 pm
I have been traumatized by reading these comments on the AJC website and need 5k for pain, suffering and lifelong counseling for a reading disorder…
“PTSD may appear.”
“How could you really live through something like that and not be “hurted.” ”
“They didn’t intentionally do it. Bad things happen. It’s part of life.”
The captain left the normal shipping channels with no storms present for course disruption.
Did the passengers get to specify the ship’s course? “Would you like Channel or NON channel?
Is this docking or rock formation?
Would you like to play “Let’s Make a Deal” for the life boats behind Door Number One?
T Reynolds
January 27th, 2012
1:02 pm
This is a sad thing all away round…Money can not take away the pain these people are having from going thru a night of HELL…..These people needs to be paid for the rest of there Life
wisconsin
January 27th, 2012
1:03 pm
WTF does President Obama have to do with any of this stop putting his name out there and blaming him for everything that happens in America he is not the problem show RESPECT he is the President whether you like him or not!!!! Thoughts and Prayers to the people of the cruise ship do what you feel will get you this traumatic time in your life much love too you all!!!!
Tech '10
January 27th, 2012
1:05 pm
14k + free return home etc is sufficient to replace belongings lost at sea and to go on another vacation when the time rolls around. If you think things should change, petition the powers at be to pass laws more to your liking. We live in a society that has become too litigous and weak. Grow some skin.
Cookie of Decatur
January 27th, 2012
1:05 pm
This company expense $46,358,760 for the 3,206 noninjured passagers; the injured, crew, and death benefits has not been discuss. Most are coming away with more than they had in the bank. If that is not enough then don’t travel with that company again and tell all you meet alone the way. That man walked away from his job responsibilities leaving people to die, let us all pray that no other captain does the same.
Democrat Theme Song
January 27th, 2012
1:09 pm
“…so cash dem checks and get up…”
Marie
January 27th, 2012
1:10 pm
“Those that say it is a fair offer must be Republicans or just stupid or probably both”
You are right….we are probably Republicans and believe that you should work for what you get and nothing in life is free.
To all of those talking about the “mental anguish”….are you serious??? Yes, I’m sure it was scary. And yes, some might even have nightmares about it. No amount of money is going to take that away. But then they should move on! Years of mental anguish….not being able to work….sounds like a cop out to me. It sounds like more people trying to get something for nothing, and when are we, as a society, going to stop coddling the weak, the lazy, and the entitled. Take the $14k. Be happy that your alive. And shutup!
Hoofty
January 27th, 2012
1:10 pm
Better take the $14K. The people that don’t will file huge lawsuits that will put the company into bankruptcy. $14K will sound great at that point!
Chris
January 27th, 2012
1:15 pm
Seriously??? You LIVED, you came HOME, your LIFE in going on. Why does anybody owe you money? Understand that when you get in a bus, an airplane, a boat, there is risk. You accept that risk when you hand over the control to another human and/or machine.
Edubbya
January 27th, 2012
1:20 pm
That $14K should be enough. You have to remember that accidents do happen and unfortunately on cruise lines. When they stepped on that boat, they took the risk that something could occur. Why do you think they do safety demonstrations??
To try to get anything more would just drag things out in courts over years. Even if they do win some type of settlement, I’m sure that the cruise line will tie that up in appeals litigation. This will cause more mental anguish and tax dollars on the legal system.
Take the money & move on….
Signed – Democrat of the Year!
Bearcrazyman
January 27th, 2012
1:22 pm
Invigga Please!
dcb
January 27th, 2012
1:24 pm
Is $14,460 plus lost expenses enough. In my opinion, sure. But I think the wrong question is being asked. But the real question is “how much will the lawyers (who I’m sure have already been signing up clients from the passenger list) going to aim for?” They won’t be receptive to that figure for themselves, much less the passengers. Look for some claims for mental anguish, among others, to hit six and even the seven-figure amount.”
big pig
January 27th, 2012
1:30 pm
DISCOUNT DOUBLE CHECK!
That Guy
January 27th, 2012
1:30 pm
@ JF McNamara –
I agree with your point of view, but the problem with society is that it is always someone else’s fault and someone’s going to pay. The entire “mental and emotional distress” argument is complete BS. I’d be willing to bet that the people who look for the “freebie pay day” are also the same ones that don’t pay attention to the safety drills or are oblivious to their surroundings. People are no longer willing to take any personal responsibility for anything.
ED
January 27th, 2012
1:33 pm
reimbursement of trip and luggage is all they need.
lets say you witness seeing person hit by a car as a pedestrian and fatally injured.
are you traumatized??? you bet. Can you get $$$$? nope.
these people uninjured on the boat just need to thank their lucky stars they are not on the bottom of the ocean.
legless pooch
January 27th, 2012
1:37 pm
Who takes $7,000 worth of jewelry on a cruise (Student)?
I also think that the $14,460 is adequate. Pain and suffering is relative. Passive aggressive people will be traumatized for life (because everything traumatizes them) while Aggressive people will get over it in the amount of time it takes to spend $14,460 (spoken as an aggressive person.)
Chizm
January 27th, 2012
1:37 pm
@That Guy- Amen Brotha… Where is the value in working for your money these days? This is not a jackpot case. No damages=no claim. The physically injured and dead have a different cause of action. Take the 14 g’s and move on with your life…
Chris
January 27th, 2012
1:38 pm
Pretty sad if the lawyers end up walking away with more money from this than the passengers actually on the ship.
dcb
January 27th, 2012
1:39 pm
To D Reynolds – why do “These people needs to be paid for the rest of there Life”? We all take knocks in life. Some every bit as serious and anxiety-ridden as these victims suffered. And we’re not taken care of for the rest our our lives – and still do pretty well. There used to be a time in our society when awards granted by the court were limited to the amount of income lost or projected to be lost, plus nominal pain and suffering awards. Now the skies the limit with millions no surprise to anyone. This entitlement society will be the death of all of us yet – certainly the death of the way of life most of us enjoy now. The rich and corporations, by the way, could pay 90% of their income in taxes and still not help the balance of us barely a bit unless our runaway spending – including run-a-way court awards – are stemmed.
woodrow
January 27th, 2012
1:44 pm
They should all become millionaires and write novels of their horrible experiences. And if they got wet, then should get handsome lifetime pensions. Honestly. What weener is going to refuse $15k?
Bronc62
January 27th, 2012
1:45 pm
Chilly Willy…you are right…bring Obama into this..and WE will be paying for it…we pay for everything else..
Marlboro Man
January 27th, 2012
1:51 pm
Good luck with a lawsuite, take the money & run.
Sanjeev
January 27th, 2012
1:53 pm
Not a bad first offer. The only thing a class action lawsuit does is make lawyers rich. They’ll take 80% of the winnings.
kreedham
January 27th, 2012
1:53 pm
If you escaped uninjured take the money…though I suspect if they don’t get enough takers they’ll bump it up a little. As far as offering 30% off a future cruise, if they are willing to go on one, that could be better. Maybe a credit of 3-5 grand toward the cost of a cruise…they would get them a freebie or a fairly cheap price.
Joe Six Pack
January 27th, 2012
1:58 pm
Reimburse the cost of the lost luggage and a free Carnival cruise anywhere they go. That should be more than fair.
Michael A. Tesfamicael
January 27th, 2012
1:59 pm
$14,460 plus travel expense to the passengers who made it out. And for the families of the passengers & Employee who lost their life in this incident would not get paid at ALL! I call this a major blow out lawsuit agenst the Carnival’s Costa Concordia company.
This deal is not a good deal for both the Employees and the Costumers at all. Carnival’s Costa Concordia need to rethink about it.
Walter LIttle
January 27th, 2012
2:00 pm
I have to agree with one of the first responses . . . the proposed settlement is for those who WEREN’T injured (meaning they didn’t occur any additional expenses) plus the cruise line is willing to pay to get them back to their original destination. I think that is very fair.
Dawgman
January 27th, 2012
2:00 pm
You are alive ! Take the money and run !
T Reynolds
January 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
@ dcb You need to shut the hell up.. You are upset because you are not one of those people that was on the ship so you can get 14K
Dawgman
January 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
What if you want more ? Do the Lawyers get more ? How much more will you get ? I would be happy with what I got, as long as they reimbursed what I lost ! You are alive ! Go take a vacation back home !
Dawgman
January 27th, 2012
2:10 pm
Cruise line is being punished ! Take the money ! They have a major public fiasco on their hands. There is something wrong with the captain and his officers ! The one’s who are guilty should be fined and never work in the industry again. The Captain (if at fault for sinking) should get some prison time for his negligence ! I guess they have insurance for the cost of the ship sinking !
Chicken-of-the-Sea
January 27th, 2012
2:12 pm
I fell into the lifeboat and couldn’t get up! It’s a dollar game, I recall a cruise in the Pacific where we left port with only one screw (prop) working and they didn’t plan on fixing it for several trips until the cruises were changed. If it had failed we would be at sea without power and maybe in bad weather. But they were willing to take the chance. Also, will the monetary reimbursement be considered as income on the next tax return? In any event the cruise will always make a good bedtime story for the kids.
Chilly Willy
January 27th, 2012
2:37 pm
@bronc – if you dont like it move to Canada!! BUH BYE! Just remember, Obama was handed a lot of crap from a republican administration consisting of idiots!
Just Groovy
January 27th, 2012
3:58 pm
Only if after the payout Carnival dissolved and went kaput!
Shix
January 27th, 2012
4:29 pm
Is anyone gonna notice that it is actually $11K in US Dollars?
No Deal!
January 27th, 2012
4:58 pm
That offer is insulting. The passengers should get a top attorney and sue for big money—at least $50-$100K!
Ndageramiwe
January 27th, 2012
5:26 pm
This is only Carnival’s opening offer. Due to the well documented circumstances of the accident, mainly the cowardice and incompetence of the captain and crew, you can bet the deal will be sweetened before it’s over. So no, I would not accept the $14,460 unless I was I dire need of some cash right now.
Michael
January 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
For those who didn’t die, I would start at $250,000. Those who were killed at least 10 million. The payout of $14,000 is a joke.
OldGeek
January 28th, 2012
10:34 am
Been on lots of cruises… and take a fair amount of clothing and personal items (computer, phones, etc.). Yes, there is risk in any form of transportation – but crew competence is expected.
The passengers lost all their belongings, personal items, their passports, credit cards, ID’s, etc…
Considering the cruise line is supposedly reimbursing the cruise cost … 14K for the incredible hassle of restoring all those documents seems a bit on low side – not WAY low, but a bit.
I’d wait out for about 25K – not too much, not too little… and maybe the line could throw in a free cruise (in a suite) to show good faith – but not a cruise on Costa!!!
Offer
January 28th, 2012
11:54 am
Deceased passengers families: sue for $10-$25 million
Other passengers: sue for $500,000-$1 million
Tim
January 28th, 2012
1:24 pm
I have a structured settlement and I need cash now! Call J.G. Wentworth …877 CASH NOW, 877 CASH NOW!!! HaHa….
Sue Me
January 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Sue for $2 million, then settle for $1-2 mil. It’s the name of the game–these cruise owner billionaires and their insurance companies will have to pay up!
Tim
January 28th, 2012
10:14 pm
I saw my mother in law naked. How much do I get? Can I bribe a crew member for some eyewash?
Diino
January 29th, 2012
5:31 am
my mother in law–super hot—I’d like to see her naked.
Gilligan
January 30th, 2012
10:57 am
I’ll pay them the $14k for convincing me never to take a cruise in the first place……………..
thescoop
January 30th, 2012
11:14 am
Let’s not forget about the puni’s…(punitive damages).
Jim Swilley
January 30th, 2012
11:15 am
It’s more than enough considering most folks escaped uninjured.