Passengers who were onboard the ill-fated Costa Concordia have filed a new lawsuit in relation to the cruise ship’s capsizing off the coast of Italy in January. More than 30 people died in the accident.
The new complaint targets Miami-based Carnival Corp., which built the Costa Concordia, for product liability. Also named in the lawsuit is the architect of the defective ship.
The suit claims Carnival was aware that the Costa Concordia’s hull design and power systems were defective. The plaintiffs also accuse Carnival of routinely concealing and/or delaying notification about serious or potentially fatal situations to passengers who are onboard the company’s cruise ships.
The suit seeks at least $2 million in compensation per passenger and $590 million in punitive damages.
According to the Sacramento Bee, the plaintiffs’ lawyers plan to file another claim shortly that alleges wrongful death.
Meanwhile, an Italian judge earlier this week released the Costa Concordia’s former captain, Francesco Schettino, from house arrest. Schettino continues to deny charges including manslaughter and causing a shipwreck, though he did say in a television interview this week that he admits he was distracted by a phone call at the time of the accident.
For more InsideCounsel stories about the Costa Concordia calamity, read:
Costa Concordia shipwreck litigation could stall
Costa Concordia disaster prompts change
Cruise ship performers sue Costa Concordia for $200 million
More Costa Concordia passengers sue Carnival
Plaintiffs firms prepare to sue Carnival on behalf of cruise ship passengers
