A Guide To GNV Ferries Accident Claims – How To Claim Compensation For An Accident On A GNV Ferry?

GNV Ferries accident claims guide

GNV Ferries accident claims guide

GNV are Italian ferry operators offering trips from Italy to destinations from France, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and Sardinia. As with any ferry operator, GNV has a duty of care towards passenger safety. This means they need to take steps to keep passengers safe wherever possible. In this guide, we’re going to look at personal injury claims against GNV Ferries where a passenger has sustained an injury due to some form of negligence.

Accident Claims UK specialise in helping with personal injury claims. Our staff provide free legal advice about the claims process as well as a no obligation assessment of your claim. If your case has strong enough grounds, one of our personal injury solicitors could help you make a claim. Should they do so, it will be on a no win no fee basis.

If you would like to discuss your claim right away, why not call a member of our team on 0800 073 8801 today?

Alternatively, to find out more about claiming for an accident on a Grandi Navi Veloci ferry, please continue reading.

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A Guide To Making A Personal Injury Claim Against GNV Ferries

When making personal injury claims, a solicitor is always going to want you to demonstrate that:

  • You have been involved in some form of accident.
  • Which was caused by the negligence of somebody (an individual or company) who owed you a duty of care.
  • And that you suffered an injury or were made ill as a result of the accident.

To prove this, you’ll need evidence to support your claim. This could include:

  • Photographs showing the cause of the accident.
  • Witness statements.
  • Medical records from a doctor who treated you.
  • An accident report that was written after you informed staff of the incident.
  • Photographs of your injuries.
  • CCTV footage if there was any coverage of the area.

Once you’ve got some of the evidence listed, you could contact a solicitor to discuss making a claim. It’s important to do so as soon as possible. That’s because, the personal injury claims time limit for claims under the Athens Convention are only 2-years. This is less than the normal 3-years you’d have for bringing a claim for an accident in the UK. However, the time limit might vary. As an example, if your ferry trip was paid for as part of a package holiday, different legislation might be applicable. Therefore, please call an advisor for clarification of how long you have to claim.

For the rest of this guide, we’re going to be looking at personal injury claims against GNV Ferries. We’ll look at the different types of accident that could occur, when the ship’s operator could be found liable and how much compensation you could be entitled to.

After you’ve read our guide, if you have any further questions, or would like to begin a claim, please speak with an advisor on the number at the top of the screen.

What Are Accidents Involving GNV Ferries?

There are many different types of accident that could happen aboard a ship at sea but in this guide, we’re looking at those that have been caused by negligence of the ship’s operator.

There have been some high-profile incidents involving GNV ferries which have been reported in the press. These include:

  • A GNV Fantastic collision with the Viking Star Cruise ship in 2018.
  • An incident in 2018 where strong winds and currents caused GNV Excellent to crash with a crane.

However, in all of these incidents, nobody was harmed. The incidents which lead to personal injury claims can be a lot less serious than those listed above but, if they result in a passenger being injured, then they could be well within their rights to seek compensation if the accident was caused by negligence.

Source; https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5263873/Giant-ferry-REVERSES-cruise-ship-Barcelona-port.html
https://www.ferryshipingnews.com/gnvs-excellent-reached-palumbo-shipyard-in-messina-for-repairs-after-accident-in-barcelona/

What Accidents Could Cause A Ferry Passenger Injury?

We’re now going to provide a list of potential accidents and incidents on a ferry that could result in an injury. This list isn’t conclusive though, so don’t worry if you don’t see an example that matches yours. We could still help you claim, so please contact us to discuss your options.

Here are some examples:

  • Ferry collisions with other vehicles or harbour walls.
  • Man overboard accidents.
  • Food poisoning or allergic reactions.
  • Faulty furniture, doors or equipment causing injuries.

Slips And Trips On A Ferry

A slip, trip or fall can lead to some very serious injuries which could have long-term effects. However, not every trip or fall on a ship automatically leads to a compensation claim. If the accident is caused by the movement of the ship as the result of the weather conditions, then a claim might not be possible. Here are some examples of when a fall could lead to a claim:

  • Where a passenger slips on a spillage or wet floor where no warning signs are in use.
  • Trips caused by damaged flooring.
  • Trips caused by cables from cleaning equipment that’s trailed across a walkway.

Crashes And Collisions Causing Whiplash Or Another Injury

While collisions involving multiple ferries or other sea vehicles are quite rare, other types of collision can happen. For instance, as described earlier, collisions with the harbour wall can occur in some cases. If that happens, and it can be shown that the person controlling the ferry was negligent, then you could claim for any injuries sustained.

Illnesses And Allergic Reactions On A Ferry

Hygiene standards are essential on a ferry because if an outbreak of a stomach bug, such as norovirus occurs, then it can spread very quickly because of the close proximity of passengers.

Therefore, if you’re made ill by a virus or food poisoning on a ferry, you might be entitled to claim if it can be shown that staff were not following the ship’s operators cleaning or food handling procedures.

Furthermore, if you suffer an allergic reaction because a menu or food packaging failed to identify an allergen, you could be entitled to begin a claim. Food packaging, photographs of menus and medical records could all be used to help prove this type of incident.

Injuries Caused By A Passenger Falling Of A Ferry

It’s relatively rare for a passenger, or staff member, to fall overboard from a ferry, but it can happen. If it does, the operator of the ship will have procedures in place to deal with it. This usually either involves launching their own rescue vehicle as well as contacting the local coastguard.

If the incident was caused by a passenger failing to adhere to safety procedures, then they wouldn’t be eligible to make a claim. However, if some form of defect to safety railings or flooring caused the accident to happen, then it could be possible to ask for compensation.

Other Causes Of Accidents On A Ferry

There are a number of other incidents on a ferry which could cause an accident to happen that results in an injury. They might be caused due to damage or lack of maintenance of fixtures, furnishings and fittings. For example, you might be able to claim for:

  • Cuts and lacerations caused by sharp edges on seating in restaurants or on the deck.
  • Tripping and falling down a flight of stairs due to a broken handrail.
  • Injuries caused when a door slams on you and traps part of your body due to a faulty door mechanism.

Essentially, any injury caused by a fault or damage to equipment in a part of the ship that you were allowed to be in could mean you’re eligible to seek compensation.

Your Rights When Travelling By Ferry

Travel by sea is governed by a number of organisations, pieces of legislation and conventions. These include:

The Athens Convention (1974)

Under the Athens Convention, you can claim for personal injuries and damage to your luggage.

International Maritime Organisation.
The IMO, founded in 1948, is a UN organisation designed to promote safer shipping and to try and ensure that pollution from shipping is reduced as much as possible.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1955.
This is a piece of British legislation. It covers ships that are owned by British operators and provides a number of rules and regulations about how they’re operated.

We’ve linked to the IMO and the Merchant Shipping Act at the end of this guide.

EU Article 1177/2010.
This legislation provides sea-going passengers with a number of rights if a ferry is cancelled or delayed. Some of the rules include:

  • Delays which are over 90 minutes means you should get free refreshments.
  • You’re entitled to a free alternative journey if yours is cancelled.
  • If there’s an overnight delay, accommodation should be provided for you for free.
  • On some occasions, a delay could mean you’re entitled to up to 50% of your ticket price as compensation.
  • Information on any form of delay should be provided as soon as possible.

Disabled passengers also have a number of additional rights such as the right to receive free assistance if required (so long as you inform the operator at least 48-hours before your journey).

Calculating Compensation Claims

Now that we’ve covered the types of accident that could lead to personal injury claims against GNV Ferries, you might want to know how much compensation you could receive. While we can’t give personalised estimates here, we can provide the personal injury claims calculator below. It contains compensation amounts for injuries.

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Type of Injury Severity Compensation Range Comments
Head Moderate Brain Damage £140,870 to £205,580 Cases in which there is moderate to severe intellectual deficit, a personality change, an effect on sight, speech and senses.
Neck Moderate £12,900 to £23,460 The types of injury in this bracket include wrenching type injuries, disc legions which cause cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement and discomfort or stiffness.
Neck Minor £2,300 to £4,080 Soft tissue injuries of the neck which heal completely within 3 months to a year.
Back Severe £69,600 to £82,980 The injuries in this bracket will usually cause nerve root damage (with loss of sensation), impaired bladder or bowel function or impaired mobility.
Shoulder Fracture £4,830 to £11,490 This compensation bracket covers a fractured collarbone.
Arm Fracture £6,190 to £18,020 Simple forearm fracture are covered by this bracket.
Hand Less Serious £13,570 to £27,220 Includes severe crush injuries which result in reduced function (with or without surgery).
Leg Less serious Up to £11,100 Simple Fibula or Tibia fractures and soft tissue damage are included in this bracket.
Knee Moderate £13,920 to £24,580 This bracket can include dislocations, torn meniscus or torn cartilage injuries. Also, a pre-existing injury where the symptoms are accelerated can be included here too.
Toe Severe £12,900 to £29,770 Injuries such as severe crush injuries that result in the amputation of up to 2 toes (not the big toe) are included here.

The figures are from a legal guide used by courts, solicitors and insurers called the Judicial College Guidelines. Each compensation bracket is based on the severity of your injury. Therefore, it’s essential that your solicitor can demonstrate the exact nature of your injuries. If they don’t, you might not receive the correct level of compensation. To assist with this, our solicitors always ask claimants to be assessed by an independent doctor.

In the assessment, the doctor will examine you and ask you some questions about your injuries. Then, they’ll write a report that explains what injuries were sustained, how they’ve affected you and if they might affect you in the future. Your solicitor will then use the report, and also other evidence, to try and make sure your compensation payment is fair.

Other Forms Of Accident Compensation

The previous section of this guide showed compensation amounts paid for general damages. That’s compensation awarded to cover any pain, suffering or loss of amenity caused by your injuries. However, that’s just one part of a claim. Your solicitor can also ask for special damages to be paid. These are payments made to cover any financial costs incurred as a result of your injuries.

Some examples of special damages include:

  • Travelling Expenses.
    If you have to visit your GP or a hospital for regular treatment, you could end up with a fuel bill or parking fees. Therefore, these could be claimed back. Furthermore, if your injuries mean you’re unable to drive for a while, it might be possible to claim for cost of alternative arrangements.
  • Medical Costs.
    While recovering from injuries, you might incur costs for prescriptions or over the counter medicines. You could ask for these costs back. Also, if you have to pay for treatment abroad, this might be claimable too.
  • Care Costs.
    While you’re recovering, if you require support from a carer, you could claim back any associated costs. That might be a professional carer’s fees or the time of a friend who looked after you.
  • Lost Income.
    If your injuries mean you need time off work to recover, you could claim any income lost as a result. This could also be true if you have to take time off for medical appointments.
  • Future Loss of Earnings.
    Finally, should your injuries have an impact on your ability to work in the long-term, you could include a claim for future loss of income. This will be based on your salary, age and job prospects. 

To help prove your claim for special damages, you should keep any receipts, wage slips or bank statements which reflect your financial losses.

No Win No Fee Personal Injury Claims For An Accident On A Grandi Navi Veloci Ferry

When considering personal injury claims against GNV Ferries, you may be worried by the costs involved. Therefore, to reduce your financial risk, our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis for any claim they take on.

The first step of the claims process is for a solicitor to assess your claim. If they believe they can win the case, they’ll prepare a conditional fee agreement (CFA) for you to sign. This is a legal contract between you and your solicitor.

Within a CFA you’ll find a statement confirming that there are no solicitor’s fees to pay if a claim is unsuccessful. Also, it will confirm the success fee you’ll pay if compensation is awarded. Success fees are used to cover the solicitors time and the work they’ve put into the case. Typically, they are 25% of your compensation and are deducted before the compensation is sent to you.

To find out if you could make your claim less stressful by using a no win no fee service, please get in touch today.

How Accident Claims UK May Help You

OK, so you’ve read our guide about claiming for an accident in a Grandi Navi Veloci ferry and you’ve decided to make a claim. But why should you let Accident Claims UK help you claim? Here are some reasons:

  • Our claims line is open 7-days a week and 24-hours a day so you can claim whenever it suits you.
  • The advice from our advisors is always free even if you don’t make a claim.
  • Our team of solicitors have been making personal injury claims for up to 30-years.
  • We’ve received loads of positive feedback from previous clients.
  • Our solicitors will provide you with regular updates as your case progresses, so you know what’s happening throughout.
  • Finally, our solicitors always try to handle claims as efficiently as possible. Also, they’ll always do their best to try and ensure you receive the correct amount of compensation for your injuries.

Should you need to know more about us, please get in touch using the number at the top of the screen.

Start A Ferry Accident Claim

Thanks for reading our guide about claiming for an accident on a Grandi Navi Veloci ferry. If you’ve found the article helpful and would like to begin a compensation claim, we really hope you’d like to use Accident Claims UK to do so. If that’s the case, you can contact us by:

  • Calling our claims line on 0800 073 8801 to speak with an advisor.
  • Sending details of your injury to office@accidentclaims.co.uk.
  • Chatting online with one of our advisors from any page on this website.
  • Or, finally, we could call you back at a convenient time. To arrange this, please fill in our online claims form.

When you get in touch, we’ll begin by reviewing your case with you. We’ll look at what happened, who was to blame and what evidence you have to support your claim. We’ll offer free advice about your options, but should your claim be strong enough, we could introduce you to one of our personal injury solicitors. Remember, if they agree to take on your claim, it’ll be on a no win no fee basis.

Resources For Your Claim

If you require any additional support, please contact our friendly team of advisors. For now, though, to assist you further, here are a few more of our guides and some external resources as well.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) – A United Nations agency responsible for safe, secure and clean shipping.

Ship Passenger Rights – A list of rights for EU passengers in the event of cancellations or delays.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 – Rules and regulations that govern the use of British ships at sea.

Ship And Boat Accident Claims – A more generic look at personal injury claims for injuries sustained on a boat or ship.

Slip, Trip And Fall Injury Claims – Information on when a personal injury lawyer could help you claim for injuries caused by a fall.

Burn Injury Claims – A guide about the different types of accident which could result in a burn injury and might lead to a personal injury claim.

Article by BH

Edited by MM