Michael Schuster
Cruise Bruise Date: April, 2000
Cruise Bruise: Death
Bruise Location: Cancun Mexico
Hometown: Indiana
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Ship: Imagination
Attorney: Jack Paris
Details:
The family of man killed on excursion, that he booked on the advice of the cruise line, has been awarded $5.98 million verdict against an eco-archeological park in Cancun, Mexico.
Schuster took a ship-recommended excursion to Xcaret Eco Theme Park, located in Cancun. Xcaret is a 5-hectare park which has an ecological theme and features attractions such as a dolphin swim, a beach and snorkeling tours.
Schuster took a lazy river ride by Xcaret where he sits on a raft and is carried along a course by the current. The course is decorated to look like an underwater cave. A rock the size of a basketball located about 35 feet above the water came loose and struck Schuster on the head.
The family attorney claimed Xcaret negligently maintained the rock formation because it should have been bonded with mortar or there should have been netting to protect against falling rock. In addition, using real rock instead of a plastic replica created an unnecessary hazard.
Michael Schuster had his skull crushed by the falling rock and died. Schuster who owned an HVAC business in Indiana was survived by his wife and three teenaged children. The family claimed that his HVAC business had to close because of his death.
The jury awarded $5,983,330. The different awards for the various children were based on their different ages opined plaintiffs’ attorney Jack Paris. Paris indicated that he will pursue collection of the verdict from Xcaret, noting that it has sufficient ties to to the United States to be held liable.
Schuster's family, who live in Bristol, Indiana had settled earlier with Carnival Cruise Lines for an undisclosed settlement amount.
The verdict against Xcaret followed a trial in August 2006 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court.
Schuster died after being struck on the head by a falling rock the size of a basketball while snorkeling through Xcaret's underground river and caves.
He was taken to a Mexican hosptial where he later died.
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Dive excursion death
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Dive excursion death
Dive excursion death
Dive excursion death
Michael Schuster
Dive excursion death
Dive excursion death
Dive excursion death
Michael Schuster
Passenger Dies On Dive Excursion
Carnival Cruise Lines Imagination - April 2000
