Legal News

More British passengers who were on board the Costa Concordia cruise ship when it overturned off the coast of Italy in January 2012 are set to claim compensation through the Italian courts, after the captain of the vessel was jailed for 16 years yesterday (11/02/15) for the manslaughter of 32 passengers on board.

Francesco Schettino, 54, was found guilty of causing the accident, by sailing the cruise liner away from its normal course and too close to the coastline, unaware that the vessel was sailing near treacherous rocks.

A huge gash was ripped in the side of the 290-metre vessel as it sailed past the coastline – causing the Costa Concordia to take on water and founder.

Captain Schettino had told a court in Italy that he had also “died” following the tragedy.

Salvaging the huge vessel was one of the biggest salvage operations in maritime history, as it lay on its side just off the tiny island of Giglio in Tuscany.

Capt Schettino’s offer of a plea bargain was declined – and he was the only person tried for the disaster, after Costa Cruises paid a fine of one million euros to avoid criminal charges.

Plea bargains from five other crew members were accepted by prosecutors and they were sentenced to between 18 months and two years and 10 months.

Capt Schettino’s lawyer said there was “collective responsibility” for the accident among the vessel’s crew.

Capt Schettino is expected to appeal the verdict, BBC News reports.

However, a guilty verdict now paves the way for survivors of the tragedy and the families of those who lost their lives to sue the operators of the luxury cruise liner for compensation,

Capt Schettino had claimed in court that he had been made a scapegoat by the authorities and the owners of the cruise ship Costa Cruises.

“I have spent the last three years in a media meat-grinder," Capt Schettino told the court.

“All the responsibility has been loaded onto me, with no respect for the truth or for the memory of the victims.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Holiday Accidents and Illness Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise holidaymakers who have been injured in accidents on cruise ships or other vessels on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.

No win no fee holiday accidents claims have to be made within three years of injury, or in cases where a criminal conviction is involved – as in the case of the Costa Concordia – within three years of the conviction. Children can make compensation claims for holiday accidents and illness up to the age of 21.

Claims for accidents at sea can be made under the 1992 Package Travel Regulations if a package holiday has been booked – or the Athens Convention can also be used to take legal action for compensation for injuries or loss of life at sea which results from negligence.

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can also advise bereaved families whose loved one has died in an accident at sea as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Holiday Accidents and Illness Claims, call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.