Family awarded NZ$5 million after passenger’s death on cruise ship
From Stuff.NZ
A US federal jury says Royal Caribbean Cruises owes US$3.38 million (NZ$4.94m) to the family of a passenger who died during an Alaskan cruise.
The jury returned its verdict in Miami federal court last week.
Court records show Richard Puchalski was with his family on the Explorer of the Seas in 2016.
A civil complaint says the 70-year-old Wisconsin man visited the ship’s infirmary with shortness of breath and later collapsed after being treated and sent back to his cabin.
The complaint says the ship’s medical staff made errors that led to Puchalski’s heart attack being fatal.
Jurors found Royal Caribbean to be 70 per cent at fault for the approximately US$34,000 in medical expenses and US$4.8 million in loss of companionship and pain and suffering.
Royal Caribbean representatives say they plan to appeal the decision.
For more on this story go to; https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/111211379/family-awarded-nz5-million-after-passengers-death-on-cruise-ship
