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Home / New Zealand

World's largest cruise company takes legal action to prevent White Island victims suing them in US court

NZ Herald
24 Dec, 2020 01:31 AM3 mins to read

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Focus Live: WorkSafe reveals charges in Whakaari/White Island tragedy
Focus Live: WorkSafe reveals charges in Whakaari/White Island tragedy
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      WorkSafe New Zealand has revealed details relating to its investigation into the Whakaari/White Island eruption disaster.
      NOW PLAYING • Focus Live: WorkSafe reveals charges in Whakaari/White Island tragedy
      Focus Live: WorkSafe reveals charges in Whakaari/White Island tragedy

      The largest cruise company in the world, Royal Caribbean, has launched a legal bid in Australia to prevent victims of the White Island eruption from suing them in US courts.

      A litigation has been launched in Miami, where Royal Caribbean has its headquarters, by American couple Ivy and Paul Reed who were badly burned in the December 9, 2019, eruption and Australians Marie and Stephanie Browitt who had family members die.

      The Guardian has reported the Reeds and Browitts have accused Royal Caribbean of failing its safety obligations in allowing the cruise passengers on a day trip to White Island despite warnings the volcano may erupt.

      Focus: Whakaari / White Island eruption as it happened
      The Whakaari / White Island eruption - From then until now. Video / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust / 60 Minutes / Supplied ...
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          NOW PLAYING • Focus: Whakaari / White Island eruption as it happened
          The Whakaari / White Island eruption - From then until now. Video / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust / 60 Minutes / Supplied ...

          However, last week Royal Caribbean made an application to the Australian federal court to obtain a ruling that would prevent the White Island victims from proceeding with their US lawsuits.

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          Read More

          • WorkSafe reveals charges in Whakaari/White Island tragedy - NZ Herald
          • Whakaari/White Island: Survivors, families, first responders gather on anniversary - NZ Herald
          • Science agency charged over Whakaari/White Island eruption stands by its people - NZ Herald
          • Whakaari/White Island tragedy: WorkSafe's prosecution adjourned to next year - NZ Herald
          • White Island: Medical teams' 14-hour shifts during 'heroic' life-saving surgeries - NZ Herald

          In it, Royal Caribbean claim a clause in the ticket contract for the voyage to White Island means only courts in New South Wales can hear disputes over the December 9, 2019, disaster.

          On November 30, WorkSafe New Zealand chief executive Phil Parkes confirmed charges have been laid against 13 parties in relation to the eruption.

          Marie Browitt's husband, Paul, and daughter, Krystal, were among the 22 people killed on White Island.

          The Browitts filed their claim in the Florida state court system stating:

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          "Stephanie Browitt was severely injured, suffering injuries that will last throughout her life, and both Marie and Stephanie Browitt suffered severe emotional distress, mental anguish, physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress and other mental and/or nervous disorders."

          A view of White Island shortly after the eruption on December 9, 2019. Photo / White Island Flights
          A view of White Island shortly after the eruption on December 9, 2019. Photo / White Island Flights

          The Browitts also claim that White Island was nearing a level 3 volcanic activity threat in the weeks before the December 9 eruption. The volcano had been upgraded to level 2 in the weeks earlier, which is the highest before an eruption.

          "The sale of any tickets to the island was outrageous conduct, and nothing short of selling a ticket to play Russian roulette," the Browitts allege.
          "This conduct was indecently cavalier, outside the bounds of decency and so reckless that it should not be tolerated in civilised society."
          A separate lawsuit from the Reeds has been launched in the US federal court.

          In their case the Maryland couple say the eruption caused ongoing mental trauma affecting their ability to work and "severe, life-threatening burns over large portions of their bodies, permanent and disfiguring scarring, reduced use of their limbs and extremities".

          Discover more

          New Zealand

          Eruption 'unexpected' not 'unforeseeable' - 10 firms, three people charged

          30 Nov 02:30 AM
          New Zealand

          Watch: One year after the eruption - Whakaari commemorations

          08 Dec 11:51 PM
          New Zealand

          Science agency charged over White Island eruption stands by its people

          30 Nov 06:25 AM
          New Zealand

          WorkSafe's White Island prosecution adjourned to next year

          14 Dec 01:31 AM

          In the Browitts' and the Reeds' lawsuits, both lodged earlier this month, they alleged Royal Caribbean should have been aware of the danger of an eruption and avoided the trip to White Island.

          Royal Caribbean's megaliner, Ovation of the Seas, in Auckland in 2016. Photo / Greg Bowker
          Royal Caribbean's megaliner, Ovation of the Seas, in Auckland in 2016. Photo / Greg Bowker

          But Royal Caribbean has filed a lawsuit to the Australian federal court in response asking the court to make an order that would prevent the families from progressing with their US cases.

          Royal Caribbean claims any legal action is confined to New South Wales courts based off the ticket terms and conditions.

          The Australian lawyer for the Browitts, Peter Gordon of Gordon Legal, told Guardian Australia the family "didn't get a contract that said anything about where suits should be litigated".

          A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said they do not comment on pending inquiries but "our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy".

          Krystal Browitt from Melbourne died in the White Island eruption. Her family have lodged a US court case suing Royal Caribbean cruise business. Photo / Supplied
          Krystal Browitt from Melbourne died in the White Island eruption. Her family have lodged a US court case suing Royal Caribbean cruise business. Photo / Supplied
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