Wade Clark Mulcahy LLP

<p style="text-align: justify;">On April 14, 2020, Susan Dorety brought a wrongful death action against Princess Cruise Lines in the Northern District of California, alleging negligence and gross negligence. In her complaint, Dorety alleges that she and her husband boarded a Princess cruise liner on February 21, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Dorety alleges that the cruise ship departed despite the significant COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan just weeks prior. It is further alleged, immediately preceding Dorety’s cruise, 2 passengers exhibited COVID-19 symptoms and 62 passengers from the previous cruise remained on the ship for the February 21 cruise.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Approximately 2 weeks after departing, guests were quarantined in their rooms. Shortly thereafter, Dorety’s husband began to exhibit symptoms. Dorety alleges that she contacted Princess representatives on the emergency phone line to inform them of her husband’s condition. It is alleged that a Princess physician saw Dorety’s husband and provided him flu medication. According to Dorety, after 2 days, Dorety and her husband were permitted to disembark to see CDC physicians. Several days thereafter, Dorety’s husband passed away from the virus.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This case is likely the first of many personal injury actions to arise from the COVID-19 viral pandemic. We will likely see an increase in liability cases for cruise lines, nursing home facilities, prisons, and retail establishments.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to Rachel Thompson for her contribution to this post.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact <a href="mailto:chayes@wcmlaw.com">Colleen Hayes</a>.</p>