Carnival Cruise Passengers v Carnival Cruise Lines
Family Sues Cruise Line After Son's Death
The family of a 21 year old Michigan man filed a lawsuit in Miami federal court after their son died after returning from a Carribean Carnival Cruise. The lawsuit seeks to recover $20 million on behalf of passengers who became ill on a January 2005 voyage of the Carnival Miracle.
The suit was filed in Miami federal court and seeks to recover $20 million on behalf of passengers who became ill on a January 2005 voyage of the Carnival Miracle.
According to the lawsuit, several passengers developed flu-like symptoms after consuming food or water aboard the ship that was contaminated with the Norovirus -- a type of virus that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The lawsuit charges "The Defendant breached their duty to prepare and provide food and/or water that was fit for human consumption, healthful and suitable for all persons."
The Miracle returned to Florida on Jan. 30, 2005. Two days later, Jonathan Kallas, a second year chemistry student at the University of Michigan, died at his home near Flint, Mich. The cause of death was identified as "norovirus infection and complications thereof."
Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses aboard cruise ships have haunted the cruise industry in recent years. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control documented outbreaks on 17 ships. The Carnival's Miracle was not among them.
