Premises Liability
Cruise Lines Alcohol Liability Expert Witness > Premises Liability
- Deck Safety & ADA Compliance
Defeating the "Perils of the Sea" Defense
When a passenger slips on a wet deck or trips over a raised threshold, cruise lines almost always argue that the “movement of the ship” (Perils of the Sea) caused the fall. We use forensic engineering standards to prove otherwise. We analyze whether the deck material met ASTM Coefficient of Friction (COF) standards for wet environments and if the ship failed to maintain ADA-compliant accessible routes, turning a preventable hazard into a legal defense.
- Tribometer testing of deck surfaces for slip resistance (COF).
- Audit of "Constructive Notice" via CCTV (how long was the spill there?).
- Evaluation of lighting levels in stairwells and transition zones.
- Review of ADA violations regarding ramp gradients and threshold heights.
Forensic Alcohol Investigations
Our maritime case reviews employ forensic reconstruction to establish the chain of alcohol service and supervision leading to injury.
POS Transaction Analysis
Correlates drink purchases and timestamps to passenger logs.
Surveillance Review
Synchronizes multi-camera footage to assess guest impairment and staff actions.
Policy and Manual Evaluation
Audits training standards, enforcement practices, and international maritime alcohol protocols.
Why Attorneys Retain Our Cruise Line Expertise
- Proven expertise in alcohol oversight and maritime hospitality operations.
- Defensible reports referencing Coast Guard, IMO, and corporate safety standards.
- Clear, professional communication of complex service-chain findings.
- Support for both domestic and international maritime jurisdictions.
How We Analyze Maritime Hazards
Friction Analysis
Evaluating the flooring specifications against ASTM safety standards to determine if the "luxury" finish became unreasonably dangerous when wet.
Notice Timeline
Reviewing surveillance footage to establish "Constructive Notice." If a crew member walked past a spill 15 minutes before the fall and did nothing, negligence is established.
Lighting & Visibility
Measuring lux levels in "transition zones" (like moving from a bright pool deck to a dark corridor) to see if sudden lighting changes blinded the passenger.
Maintenance Audit
Checking the ship's maintenance logs to see if the hazard (e.g., a broken handrail or leaking AC unit) was a known issue that was ignored to prioritize revenue.
Independent, evidence-based evaluations for alcohol-related injury cases, providing attorneys with clear insight into service actions, venue conditions, and factors contributing to incident outcomes.
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