Carnival Cruise Line Passenger Missing After Falling Overboard

America’s Most Prestigious Carnival Cruise Line Accident Attorneys Located in Miami, FL are Uniquely Equipped to Help You Cope With the Fallout of Your Cruise Ship Accident Injuries

Our Carnival Cruise Line accident lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A. have 8 office locations across the United States. In fact, we have headquarters in Miami, Fl and are considered one of the nation’s leading cruise ship accident and injury law firms. Established in 1971, we have been advocating for our clients rights for more than 50 years, and will continue to do so. Our team has collectively recovered more than $300 million in cruise ship, resort, and maritime injury settlements, handled more than 3,000 cases, and appeared as experts on numerous hotel, resort, and maritime injury themed television programs and specials. Several of our attorneys have also been named to “Best Lawyers”®, and our law firm has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report every year for nearly a decade.

If you were traveling as a passenger or were a crew member aboard a Carnival Cruise Line, going up against this international corporation can be overwhelming. However, when you have our dedicated cruise ship accident attorneys working for you, you can rest easier. We have a success rate that cannot be matched by our competitors. This makes us uniquely equipped to help you and your family fight for fair compensation after your accident. Having handled countless landmark maritime and cruise ship accident cases, our team is ready to help you take action. Below, we go into further detail about some of the most common types of accidents on cruise ships: passengers falling overboard. In fact, just a few weeks ago, a man fell overboard while traveling on a carnival cruise. Do not hesitate to contact our team so we can help you navigate the often complex legal process associated with cruise ship accidents and injuries.

The Latest on Carnival Cruise Passengers and Crew Going Overboard

On May 29, 2023, a passenger aboard a carnival cruise line, the Carnival Magic ship, went overboard. According to the United States Coast Guard, passenger Ronnie Peale went overboard while traveling 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida. U.S. Coast Guard crews used water and aircraft assets to search over 5,000 square miles before suspending their search.

The search for 35 year old Peale ended several days after he was originally reported missing by his cruise ship companion. His companion reported him missing late in the afternoon on May 29 and Carnival Cruise Line reviewed security footage that showed him leaning over his state room balcony railing when he suddenly dropped into the water. This occurred at around 4:10 AM in the morning.

U.S. Coast Guard’s District 7 Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hooper oversaw these search efforts and offered his condolences to Mr. Peale’s companion, friends, and family. The ship continued on to Norfolk, VA after search efforts were suspended. The Carnival Magic ship was originally on a round-trip sail from Norfolk to the Bahamas when Peale went overboard. Carnival Magic operates out of Norfolk, VA, Miami, FL, and Cape Canaveral, FL ports.

The FBI is Investigating

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently reviewing the Carnival Magic overboard incident, as they share a responsibility to investigate certain accidents and incidents on the navigable waters. By interviewing witnesses to get the facts of the case, reviewing video surveillance and security footage, and obtaining other evidence, they should be able to determine who, if anyone, is responsible for Peale falling overboard.

However, this is only one of the most recent Carnival and cruise ship overboard accidents and cruise ship disappearances. Back in November 2022, a passenger aboard the Carnival Valor ship went overboard. Similarly, a woman traveling near Port Canaveral aboard the MSC Cruise’s Meraviglia suffered fatal injuries after going overboard. A Royal Caribbean international traveler also went overboard back in April 2023, during a Trans-Pacific trip. Those search efforts were eventually suspended and the passenger was never recovered.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, in 10 years, 212 people went overboard on cruise ships while just 48 were rescued. This indicates cruise ships may not be utilizing the necessary safeguards to keep passengers out of harm’s way and avoid overboard incidents. This includes ensuring that safety rails are located at least 42 inches above state room decks according to the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010.

What to Do After a Cruise Ship Accident

If someone you love falls overboard while traveling on a cruise ship, it is crucial to notify crewmembers as soon as possible so rescue efforts can commence. If they are rescued or lost at sea, you may have the right to pursue legal action against the cruise ship or other liable parties. With help from our reputable cruise ship accident attorneys, you can demand Carnival Cruise or other cruise lines be held accountable for their negligent safety practices. Not only do you have a chance to recover the compensation you will need to get through these difficult times, but your efforts could prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A are the Nation’s Leading Carnival Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers

No one ever expects to suffer devastating injuries or have a family member fall overboard while enjoying a Carnival Cruise. However, when it happens to you, you need the nation’s top-rated Carnival Cruise ship accident attorneys to advocate for your rights. Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A. was named as one of America’s “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report since 2016 and have had multiple personal injury litigators selected as “Best Lawyers” ®.

Our extensive experience and knowledge of cruise ship and maritime laws make us the premier option when you or someone you love falls overboard or suffers other injuries in a Carnival Cruise Line accident. Take steps to hold Carnival Cruise Lines accountable for their negligence when you contact our team for a 100% free consultation. Fill out our online contact form or call us at 877-233-1238 to get started on your Carnival cruise ship accident claim as soon as possible.