Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean Revived
Case Stems from 2019 Toddler's Death
11th Circuit Court of Appeal Reverses Lower Court Ruling
A federal appeals court has revived a wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises following the 2019 death of an 18-month-old toddler. The lawsuit, filed by the parents of Chloe Wiegand, alleges that the cruise line was negligent and caused the toddler's death.
Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from an open window on the Royal Caribbean ship Freedom of the Seas in 2019. The ship's "FlowRider" pool area, where the incident occurred, had an open window that lacked any warnings or barriers to prevent people from falling out. The family argued that Royal Caribbean was negligent in failing to secure the area and prevent such a tragedy from happening.
Royal Caribbean was cleared of wrongdoing in the initial trial court ruling, but the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal has reversed that decision. The appellate court ruled that the lower court had erred in its interpretation of federal maritime law and that the parents had sufficient evidence to proceed with their lawsuit.
The lawsuit will now proceed to the trial court for further proceedings. It will be up to a jury to decide whether Royal Caribbean was negligent and liable for the toddler's death.
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