Direct Ferries Accident Claims – How To Claim Compensation For A Personal Injury Against Direct Ferries?

How To Claim For An Accident On A Ferry Or A Mini Cruise

Direct Ferries accident claims guide

Direct Ferries is an online booking portal for ferry journeys. Direct Ferries also offer customers the option to book train and ferry packages, mini cruises, and holiday accommodation. Have you been injured because of an accident on a ferry, or an accident on a mini cruise, or any other part of your holiday, that you booked through Direct Ferries? If so, you may be entitled to compensation.

To see if you have legitimate grounds to make a ferry or holiday accident claim, call Accident Claims UK today for your free personal injury consultation. One of our friendly claims advisers will discuss your story in-depth to see ifyou could be entitled to compensation. If so, they can provide you with an excellent personal injury solicitor to handle your cruise ship injury or passenger ferry accident claim.

If you did wish to proceed, our solicitors can offer you the financial protection of entering into a No Win No Fee Agreement, which we’ll discuss further below.  If you believe you have legitimate grounds to claim compensation for an accident on holiday booked through Direct Ferries, call us on 0800 073 8801 or email us today to begin your claim. We’re looking forward to representing you.

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A Guide To Claiming For An Accident On A Ferry Booked Through Direct Ferries

Direct Ferries is a UK-based online ferry booking portal. They focus on ferry journeys in Europe and Africa but also cover other routes around the world. Direct Ferries allows customers to search for a date-specific ferry journey they wish to take, for example, Dover to Calais and allows customers to compare journeys run by different ferry companies, such as P&O Ferries or DFDS. The customer can book and pay for their ferry journey directly through the site. In addition, customers can book mini cruises, ferry and train packages, freight ferries and holiday accommodation.

In this guide, we will explain in what circumstances you can make a claim against a ferry company for injuries or illness. We will also look at accidents that could happen on ferries if health and safety hazards are present onboard. We will also look at the rights of passengers when travelling from the UK by ferry, or elsewhere in the world. As well as this, we will explain the benefits of making claim with Accident Claims UK. To begin your claim, call us today to speak to an adviser.

What Is A Passenger Accident On A Mini Cruise Or Ferry

A passenger accident on a mini cruise, a train journey or onboard a ferry, is an unwanted occurrence for anyone, particularly if it results in injury or illness. Transport companies, such as shipping companies or train companies, have a  duty of care to their passengers. This means that they are responsible for providing their passengers with a safe environment in which to travel. They must abide by health and safety regulations to ensure that there are no risks posed to passengers onboard and must conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and take steps to remove or minimise any risk posed. Because ferry and train companies have these duties, if a customer is injured or made ill because of negligence on the part of the company, the company could be held liable for their injuries. As a result, the customer could make a claim for compensation.

In this guide, we will focus on making a claim for a ferry accident in the UK or abroad, or a mini cruise accident that was booked through Direct Ferries. One question you may ask is, “If I was injured on a ferry or mini cruise, booked through Direct Ferries, do I make a personal injury claim against Direct Ferries?” The answer is no. Because Direct Ferries is a booking service, your claim will be against the ferry company or mini-cruise provider that was responsible for your accident.

Types Of Accident That Could Happen On A Passenger Ferry

Travelling by water has its risks. At the more severe end of the spectrum are boat crashes, or a boat capsizing, which can be caused by a ferry accident when docking or a boat sinking due to a crash. Fortunately, because of improved standards of safety, these sorts of accidents are very rare, but some risk does remain. More common are accidents onboard the ferry caused by poor adherence to health and safety standards. , Such accidents could include a slip, trip or fall, accidents caused by faulty facilities, or incidents of food poisoning.

Whether you were involved in an accident on a cross channel ferry, on a north sea ferry, an Irish ferry, or an accident across any other stretch of water, if the accident was not your fault, call Accident Claims UK today to see if you are entitled to compensation. In the very tragic circumstances that your next of kin or relative has died because of negligence on the part of a ferry company, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. Call Accident Claims UK to speak to an advisor to find out more.

Trips And Falls On Mini Cruises And Ferry Voyages

Slips, trips and falls are a common cause of injury and the number one reason why people make personal injury claims. On a busy ferry or cruise ship, there are many reasons why a passenger could slip, trip or fall because of negligence on the part of the ships operator.:

  • A passenger could trip over a wire belonging to the likes of a vacuum cleaner or floor polisher if a member of staff is cleaning the common areas, or an upturned piece of carpet or skirting.
  • An accident could occur if there is a loose floorboard, cracked floor tile, or a loose nail sticking out of the floor, causing the passenger to trip.
  • Wet floors that have not been signposted can cause passengers to slip. A wet floor can be caused by a leaking toilet that has not been fixed, a spilled drink in a bar or lounge area that has not been cleaned up, or a recently mopped floor that has not been signposted.
  • Excessively wet conditions on deck can cause passengers to slip, this is especially dangerous if a passenger slips beneath the safety rails, falling from one level to another, or falling overboard into the water. These sorts of accidents can be potentially life-threatening but are thankfully rare. It is the responsibility of the ship’s crew to keep passengers inside if weather conditions are risky.

As you can see, accidents on ferries could result in serious injuries. Even a slip, trip or fall could result in a broken limb or nasty gash.

Ferry Crashes And Collisions

When we think of a ferry crash or a boat collision, we think of a dramatic accident which can cause the ship to capsize or sink. Fortunately, these sorts of accidents are rare. What is more common are distressing accidents involving a boat crash. Boat crashes can involve a ferry or cruise ship misjudging its course and crashing into another vessel, into the side of the wall of dock,  or a natural obstruction, such as underwater rocks, or in some rare instances, a whale.

Accidents that can occur on deck can include passengers falling or being thrown against a wall as the impact happens. This can cause whiplash or other injuries associated with falling. Customers can also experience psychological distress if they are left stranded on a boat because of a ferry crash. In 2018,  a ferry accident happened when docking in Roscoff, Northern France. The boat crashed into the dock, damaging the main door. Passengers were stranded on the ferry for an hour and a half as a result. This could especially cause distress to a passenger that was already particularly nervous about travelling, due to a pre-existing mental or psychological condition.

News story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-46580024

Whiplash Injuries On A Ferry

If you are travelling on a ferry which crashes or collides with something, you could experience a whiplash injury. Whiplash is a soft tissue injury which occurs when a sudden impact forces the head beyond its normal range of motion, straining the muscles. Symptoms include, difficulty moving your  head, neck stiffness, neck pain, headaches, or spasms in the shoulders and arms. Whiplash is not only painful but debilitating, making it hard to undertake everyday tasks.

Fortunately, whiplash usually heals on its own after a few week, but possibly as long as three months. Severe cases of whiplash may require physiotherapy treatment. If you have suffered whiplash because of a cruise ship or ferry accident, contact Accident Claims UK to see if you have legitimate grounds to claim compensation.

Illness Caused By Allergic Reactions

As well as being a means of transport, ferries and cruise ships are also places for leisure activities with onboard restaurants, bars and shops. If you are travelling in Europe, all food producers, shops and restaurants have to list any allergenic ingredients on food packaging or on menus. If they fail to do so and a customer experiences an allergic reaction, the business could be held liable for their illness.

Injuries Caused By Falling From A Ferry

One of the most serious  incidents that could happen to a ferry passenger is to fall into the water, known on the seas as ‘man overboard’.  A person could drown, get swept underneath the boat by the current, or die of hypothermia.

What can cause a ferry passenger to fall from the ferry into the water? Negligence on the part of the ferry company in not keeping passengers safe inside in poor weather, thereby exposing them to slippy surfaces. A passenger could also fall overboard if a faulty safety rail comes loose, causing the passenger to fall off the ship.

There have also been incidents where the ferry company and passengers have shared the responsibility for overboard incidents. In 2013, an incident happened in Liverpool involving a three-year-old child. The child’s guardians allowed her to climb on the seating, then became distracted. The design of the upper deck seat was such that the guard rail was within the child’s reach from there. She climbed over the guard rail and fell into the River Mersey. Fortunately, she was rescued. After the incident, it was found that not only was the guard rail too close to the seating, but the measures put in place to prevent passengers from standing on the seating were ineffective. However, the child’s guardians also bore some responsibility for not properly supervising their child.

Examples Of Other Ferry Passenger Accidents

Ferry passenger accidents can also occur if facilities are broken. For example, a heavy mirror or other such fittings that haven’t been properly fixed to the wall can come away and strike a passenger, especially if the ship rocks. Onboard toilet and shower facilities can leak causing slip, trip and fall hazards. As well as potentially causing life-threatening “man overboard” accidents, faulty railings can also break away, causing a passenger to fall down the stairs between decks, again potentially leading to serious injuries.

If you have suffered any of the injuries described above, or any other type of injury or illness due to negligence on the part of a ferry company, you could claim compensation.

What Are My Rights When Travelling On A Ferry?

If you are travelling on a ferry from an EU member state, you have passenger rights that protect you. The first of your rights is not to be discriminated against or refused passage on grounds of disability unless there is a legitimate concern for your safety or the safety of others.

You are also protected under EU Regulation 1177/2010 . This regulation states what ferry companies are supposed to do in the event of a delay or cancellation and what your rights are, too. . You can read more about EU Regulation 1177/2010 in this ABTA guide.

Disclaimer: At the time of writing, the United Kingdom is in the process of leaving the European Union. It is unknown whether or not EU Regulation 1177/2010 will still apply to ferries sailing from the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

In addition to EU regulations, there are other conventions and organisations that protect the rights of ferry passengers.  The Athens Convention of 1974 states that if a ferry company acts negligently, causing a passenger to become injured, or their luggage damaged or destroyed, they must pay the customer adequate compensation. A protocol was added in 2002 which required that ferry companies take out insurance for their passengers and their luggage.

The Merchant Shipping Act of 1995 enforces the Athens Convention in the UK.

Many countries around the world cooperate with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The International Maritime Organisation’s purpose is to encourage countries to follow international shipping laws, to protect the safety of their passengers and their crew.

Ferry Accident Personal Injury Claims Calculator

If you are thinking about making a personal injury claim against a Direct Ferries partner company, you can use our ferry accident personal injury claims calculator to estimate how much compensation you could potentially recover. Please note, this personal injury claims calculator excludes special damages you may be able to claim.

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Type Of Injury Severity Of The Injury Comments Settlement with 10% Uplift
Facial bone fractures (multiple) Single severity level With this type of injury, there is a single level of severity and the claimant may be left with some deformity in the face. £13,970 to £22,470
Le Fort fracture – fracture of the frontal facial bones Single severity level This includes a specific type of fracture to the bones in the face. £22,350 to £34,480
Fracture to the jaw Level (i) At level (i), the claimant may have serious or multiple fractures of the jaw bone. This could require treatment over a longer period of time. £28,610 to £42,730
Fracture to the cheekbone Level (i) Cheekbone fractures at level (i) could be quite serious. It will require some surgery and there will be long-term symptoms. £9,570 to £14,810
Injury to the neck Serious This could include a serious injury to the disc, or a fracture in the neck bones. £61,710 to £122,860
Injury to the back Moderate A moderate injury to the back might be a crush fracture or a compression fracture. There could also be a similar level of soft tissue injury. £36,390 to £65,440
Injuries to the hips or the pelvis Severe At the severe level, the claimant may have experienced an extensive fracture affecting this area of their body. £73,580 to £122,860
Fracture of the clavicle Single level The amount of compensation paid could be based on how serious the clavicle fracture is. £4,830 to £11,490
Injury to the shoulder Serious Serious shoulder injuries might include humerus fractures and similar levels of soft tissue injury. £11,980 to £18,020
Injury to the chest Level (g) This may include soft tissue injuries to the chest area or rib fractures. Injuries should heal in a short period of time. Maximum £3,710

Examples Of How Else You Could Be Compensated For An Accident Travelling By Sea

If you make a successful personal injury claim for an accident on a ferry, booked through Direct Ferries, you may be awarded a compensation package that is split into two heads of claim: general damages and special damages. General damages compensate the injured person for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by their injuries or illness. Special damages are awarded to compensate the injured person for any losses or expenses that may have been incurred, both past and future. This can include reimbursement for loss of income if they had to take time off work, or in case of more serious injuries, the loss of future or potential income.

Special damages can also include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Travel expenses
  • Home adaptation expenses
  • Car adaptation expenses
  • Mobility equipment expenses
  • Care expenses
  • Loss of income reimbursement

No Win No Fee Claims For Accidents On A Ferry Booked Through Direct Ferries

If you have been injured or made ill because of negligence on a ferry that you booked through Direct Ferries, you could be entitled to compensation. Our solicitors can give you the option of entering into a No Win No Fee Agreement. This means that should your claim be unsuccessful you will not have to pay any of the fees your solicitor has incurred in pursuing your case. If your claim is successful, your solicitor may ask you to pay a small contribution toward their fees which would be deducted from the compensation you are awarded. This is known as a success fee and is legally capped. No Win No Fee Agreements offer you the most financial protection possible. You will not have to pay any fees upfront or during your claim, giving you peace of mind and the confidence to seek justice.

How Accident Claims UK Could Help You

If you wish to make a personal injury claim against a ferry company for an accident on a ferry booked through Direct Ferries, contact Accident Claims UK today. We can provide you with an experienced personal injury solicitor who will fight to win you the maximum amount of compensation possible. They’ll guide you through the legal process, explaining everything along the way without any legal jargon. And if ever you have a query or would like an update on your claim, there’ll always be there to take your call.

Contact Accident Claims UK

To begin your personal injury claim for an accident on a ferry, call Accident Claims UK , or use our online contact form to reach us. We’re looking forward to representing you.

Resources And Information

How To Claim Compensation For An Accident/Injury On A Boat Or Ship – A Guide To Personal Injury Claims On A Boat

Personal Injury Claims For An Accident On Holiday – A guide as to how to make a holiday accident claim.

Hotel Accident Claims Guide – How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

External Resources

An ABTA Guide To Making A Ferry Complaint – Information from ABTA about complaining about your ferry journey.

An ABTA Guide To Cruise And Ferry Passenger Rights – Further information from ABTA about your rights when travelling by ferry.

Article by HC

Editor RBG