Costa Concordia is facing numerous lawsuits, all stemming form the cruise ship tragedy this past January. With over 4,000 people aboard, the cruise ship hit submerged rocks and capsized near Italy, killing thirty-two people and injuring many more. This week, a new lawsuit was filed by the Warrick family in Broward County Court against Carnival Corp. & PLC, the owner of the sunken vessel, alleging several charges including fraudulent misrepresentation, maritime negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Warrick family, made up of Amanda, Adrian and Brandon Warrick, are each seeking more than $75,000 in damages. Costa has offered each surviving passenger about $14,000 in compensation, but the siblings consider it to be “a slap in the face,” stating that the amount offered by Costa would not have covered their out-of-pocket expenses, “much less emotional damage.” According to filed court documents, the siblings “”suffered and will continue to suffer severe discomfort, injuries and sickness, severe mental anguish, pain and loss of enjoyment of life.”
Despite the cruise ticket contract, the family is filing their suit in the United States, as they would be barred from litigation in Italy because there is no contingency for personal injury in the Italian courts. They siblings are allowed to file because they purchased their tickets on Costa’s U.S. website. At present, most victims are relegated to the Italian courts because of the fine print in the ticket contract.
Concordia survivors file lawsuit in Lauderdale, www.sun-sentinel.com July 19, 2012.