A federal judge dismissed lawsuits by Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who sued for emotional distress caused by their fear of exposure to COVID-19.
According to Reuters, Judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles stated that allowing their cases to proceed would “lead to a flood of trivial suits”, while issued a ruling allowing passengers to collect damages based on potential COVID-19 exposure without suffering symptoms raised concerns of unlimited liability for restaurants and other businesses.
Following, the operator of Grand Princess, Carnival Corp (CCL.N), applauded the decision which said it was consistent with established precedent.
To remind, amid the pandemic officials banned the Grand Princess from docking in California for days after a coronavirus outbreak before taken the 2,400 passengers into quarantine. Debi Chalik, a lawyer for passengers Ronald and Eva Weissberger, said she was disappointed with the ruling and might appeal.
The couple supported by the lawyer alleged the cruise line allowed them to board the ship even though passengers who disembarked the same day from a prior cruise had symptoms of COVID-19 and sought more than $1 million for putting their health at risk and causing trauma.
