Generally speaking, some assume that a medical malpractice case follows the exact same pattern regardless of the uniqueness of each situation. The reality is that this is not true. Proving each case is a unique situation. This is especially true when it comes to medical malpractice that occurs on a cruise ship.
It should be noted that medical malpractice on a cruise ship usually happens because the doctor either breached a duty of care to the passenger as a patient under his or her care or was negligent in treatment options and caused further injury to the patient. It is important to know about the problem and how the evidence works when it comes to proving the elements of your medical malpractice case.
Under the laws that govern cruise ship standards, it may be a requirement that a cruise ship has a medical department that comprises of professional medical staff that are able to provide medical services to individuals who need it on the cruise ship. Cruise ship medical malpractice occurs when a passenger suffering from a medical issue seeks medical attention while on board the cruise ship and encounters medical malpractice when the medical professional either engages in negligence or breaches his or her duty of care to the patient. This mainly happens when the passenger suffers an injury at the hands of the doctor or when the treatment or medication administered to the patient does not meet the patient’s needs. In some cases the treatment can prove detrimental or even fatal to the passenger and can result in injury or harm. If this is your situation it is important to gather as much evidence as possible in order to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.
A medical malpractice attorney from the Crowson Law Group stated, “When an individual suffers medical malpractice he or she will need to prove four different elements for a negligence claim. This involves the duty of care owed to the passenger, a breach in that duty due to the doctor not performing his or her profession appropriately. Such a breach must lead to injuries and there must be a direct link showing the causation between the breach and the injuries sustained. Such four elements determine whether or not the doctor’s actions or failure to act rose to the level of medical malpractice.”
One article stated, “It is often not possible to hold the cruise ship responsible for the actions of the doctor when affected by medical practice. If the medical professional is an independent contractor with no actual ties for cruise liner, [the doctor] has no employment association with the cruise ship company. If there is no way to connect the incident to the company, then the passenger as a patient will need to use all necessary and relevant evidence to pursue the medical malpractice suit.”
It is important to note that if the cruise ship has a state-of-the-art medical cabin with all the necessary facilities and equipment then it is possible to file the suit against the company and the doctor. Where the physician provides substandard care the company is still held liable for damages when the passenger becomes injured or does not receive the necessary care from the medical profession. However, this only holds water if the medical professional is an employee of the cruise ship company at the time of the treatment.
For legal advice and representation contact a medical malpractice, personal injury accident attorney in Alaska.

The Crowson Law Group is a law firm of renowned professionals who focus exclusively on personal injury matters. If you are involved in a Wasilla car accident contact the Crowson Law Group Wasilla law offices today.