Carnival Cruise Passenger Reported Missing After Ship Returns to Florida

Our Florida Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers Can Get Families Answers and Hold Irresponsible Cruise Lines Accountable

The Florida cruise ship accident attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. are available to help families nearly anywhere in the United States due to our 8 strategically placed office locations. No matter what cruise line your family member vacationed on before they went missing, our firm is close by and ready to help you take action. We have been named as one of America’s “Best Law Firms” ® and 6 of our lawyers have been selected as some of the “Best Lawyers” ® in the country by US News & World Report every year since 2016. We have more than 200 years of experience among our personal injury and maritime attorneys, have handled thousands of cases, and recovered more than $300 million for our clients since our firm was founded more than 50 years ago back in 1971.

Our 17 cruise line accident lawyers have extensive experience handling maritime injury claims, overboard incidents, and other types of cruise ship accidents and events. The founder of Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., Charles Lipcon, has successfully represented some of the country’s landmark maritime accident and cruise ship injury claims, ultimately shaping how the U.S. handles claims of this nature. You can feel confident in our legal knowledge and experience, as many of our attorneys appear as expert guests regarding personal injury cases, maritime injuries, and cruise ship accidents on national talk shows and television programs.

Taking a Carnival cruise is supposed to be the experience of a lifetime. Individuals and families plan for months or even years on end picking their favorite excursions, reviewing meal plans, and selecting the best room for their stay. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries aboard carnival cruises are far more common than you might think. It is not unheard of for passengers to go missing without a trace. If your loved one was enjoying their Carnival cruise but went missing overnight, you may have grounds for legal action against Carnival Cruise and other at-fault parties.

Our cruise ship accident lawyers in Florida are here to help your family get through these difficult times and ensure Carnival Cruise is held accountable if you recently discovered your loved one is missing, similar to the family missing their loved one in early September 2023. While you wait for answers, our team can start building a powerful case against Carnival Cruise lines and other potentially at-fault parties. Contact our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation so we can put our experience to work for your family.

What Happened on the Carnival Conquest?

When the Carnival cruise ship, the Carnival Conquest, returned to a Miami port on Monday, September 4, 2023, passenger Kevin McGrath, age 26, was nowhere to be found. His family reported him missing after an “extensive search” of the entire ship. According to Carnival Cruise representatives, McGrath’s key card was used at 3:30 AM to enter his room but was not seen when the Carnival Conquest returned to the Port of Miami.

Unfortunately, his family never saw him exit the ship. The Miami-Dade Police Department has issued a missing persons alert and suggested that he “may be in need of services”. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and Miami law enforcement officials began investigating his disappearance shortly thereafter. According to Carnival Conquest surveillance systems, McGrath was not detected aboard the ship during the debarkment process. The United States Coast Guard was actively investigating and searching along the South Florida shore and the area near the Port of Miami.

Miami-Dade police have stated that the Carnival Conquest overboard detection systems never went off, suggesting that McGrath did not accidentally fall overboard. While the active search has been suspended, Carnival Cruise Lines reports that they are still actively investigating McGrath’s disappearance.

Who is Liable When Carnival Cruise Ship Passengers Go Missing?

When cruise ship passengers go missing, many parties could share liability depending on the circumstances of the case. Cruise ships are required to have safeguards in place that prevent passengers from being able to fall overboard, including rails installed at a minimum of 42 inches above cabin decks.

If dangerous conditions aboard the Carnival Conquest contributed to McGrath’s disappearance, the cruise line may be held accountable, as well as crew members, security officials, and other relevant parties. Unfortunately, more often than not, families cannot move forward with claims until the victim is found or the cause of the accident is identified.

Surviving Family Members and Cruise Ship Accident Victims May Be Entitled to Financial Compensation

If you are a family member of someone who has disappeared on a cruise ship, there may be legal options available to you. With help from a cruise ship accident lawyer, you can hold irresponsible crew members and negligent cruise lines accountable for their recklessness.

You may need to file a lawsuit against the liable party if you hope to ensure the at-fault party is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. You can discuss your opportunities for justice further when you meet with your Carnival Cruise accident attorney.

America’s Leading Carnival Cruise Accident Attorneys Help Families Demand Justice

Several of our Carnival cruise ship accident lawyers have been named to “Best Lawyers” ® while Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. has been selected to “Best Law Firms” ® for nearly a decade by US News & World Report. Although you may feel as though hope is lost when your loved one is missing after boarding a cruise, you can feel confident that we will help you get answers and hold negligent cruise lines accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

We are America’s top-rated litigation law firm with hundreds of years of experience and legal knowledge of how the maritime accident and cruise ship injury claims process works. Our team is standing by when you are ready to make the cruise line pay. When you or someone you love goes missing or suffers devastating injuries in a cruise ship accident, a dedicated Florida personal injury lawyer at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. can help you demand justice. Contact our Carnival cruise ship accident lawyers as soon as possible or call our office at 877–233–1238 to schedule your free and confidential consultation with our dedicated maritime injury team today.