Coronavirus on Cruise Ships

According to CBS NEWS and other news outlets, cruise lines face a legal backlash for their initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic that began sweeping the world earlier this year. The plaintiffs, all former passengers, contend that the three major cruise lines (which make up about 70 percent of the total cruise ship market) knowingly exposed them to the novel coronavirus, known to be exceptionally contagious and dangerous. If you’ve contracted coronavirus from a cruise ship, you need a seasoned North Carolina personal injury attorney with extensive experience on your side.

The Cruise Ship Experience

Cruise ships are a luxury destination for which many people plan and save years ahead of time. On a cruise, you can leave your troubles behind for a little while, indulge in the fantastic buffets, and enjoy quality live entertainment, while attentive and professional staff work to make you as comfortable as possible. While the major cruise lines have become very popular and earned a devoted following over the years, their handling of the coronavirus may be changing people’s opinion.

One Couple’s Tragedy

A current suit brought against Princess Cruise Lines claims that a married couple contracted COVID-19 while onboard a Princess Cruise ship and that the husband later died due to complications from the virus. Their lawyer alleges all of the following regarding the COVID-19 outbreak on the Japan-bound cruise ship:

• The cruise line discharged passengers who’d been infected by the coronavirus.
• The cruise line then took on new passengers that commingled with exposed passengers already on board.
• The cruise line had been given official notice of the dangers inherent to their action but failed to warn the passengers, including the married couple.

Inadequate Safeguards in Place

Former passengers currently suing the major cruise lines assert that ships’ staff crew did very little to protect or warn onboarding passengers of the presence of coronavirus, even though the vessel had prior knowledge and experience with the virus from an outbreak several weeks earlier. Sometimes the only step taken was asking passengers to fill out a form stating the current condition of their health.  

Cruise Ships and Liability Waivers

Most cruise lines require passengers to sign liability waivers before boarding. These waivers release the cruise line of liability in certain situations, including the death of a passenger. While these contractual waivers may frighten some potential litigants away, it’s important to note that courts in the United States frequently refuse to uphold them. In other words, if you or your loved one has contracted coronavirus from a cruise ship, it’s time to consult with a dedicated North Carolina personal injury attorney.

An Experienced North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

The COVID-19 pandemic that’s sweeping our nation and the larger world has changed our way of life in significant ways, including the perception of cruise lines. If a cruise line’s negligence led to your illness, the dedicated personal injury attorneys at King Law Firm in North Carolina are committed to skillfully advocating on your behalf for a favorable outcome of your case. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at (855) 206-0052 today.

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Coronavirus Bankruptcy Options

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought with it unprecedented economic and employment strains. With very few viable long-term options for dealing with bills that cannot be paid, many Americans are considering their options for bankruptcy at no fault of their own. In fact, many North Carolina bankruptcy attorneys are predicting a tsunami of bankruptcy filings directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you are struggling to pay your debts as a result of the coronavirus spread or anticipate that you will be soon, do not delay in researching and pursuing your options for bankruptcy.

Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Due to COVID-19

Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be the ideal option for many accruing debts due to the coronavirus. Depending on your financial eligibility and your assets, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy could erase your obligation for paying many types of debts including:

• Medical bills
• Credit card balances
• Mortgage or rent arrears
• Utility bills
• Vehicle loans
• Unsecured personal loans

Keep in mind that while a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will eliminate your personal debt obligations, it does not secure your home, vehicle, or other property. If you want to keep secured property, talk to your North Carolina bankruptcy lawyer about your options for doing so when filing for Chapter 7.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Coronavirus

Some individuals who are experiencing the negative financial impacts of COVID-19 will find Chapter 13 bankruptcy to be a better option. In contrast, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can allow debtors to keep their secured property in some circumstances. It is a reorganization of debts for those who make too much to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, have substantial assets, or who want to keep unsecured property. In this type of bankruptcy, you make monthly payments to a trustee over a three- or five-year period. The trustee then pays your creditors what they are owed under bankruptcy laws out of your payments.

If you do not anticipate having a steady income that can pay for your bills and a Chapter 13 payment plan at the same time, filing Chapter 7 might be a better option. Meeting with a North Carolina bankruptcy attorney can help you decide which type of bankruptcy will be the most beneficial for your financial circumstances.

Should You Wait to Pursue Bankruptcy Options Until the Pandemic Subsides?

You may be holding out on learning more about bankruptcy or talking with a North Carolina bankruptcy lawyer because you want to see if job opportunities increase and your financial situation improves. You might be holding out assuming that bankruptcy courts are either closed or overburdened. You could even be waiting because you do not want to go out and put yourself at risk for contracting COVID-19. These reasons may seem logical, but in reality, they are not practical.

Waiting too long to act while you are not managing your debts can make your situation worse and decrease your options. You don’t know what will happen with your financial situation, but you do know it is less than ideal right now. Bankruptcy courts are opening back up or finding alternative ways of proceeding with bankruptcy filings. Bankruptcy attorneys can meet with you via video or phone.

Review Your Coronavirus Bankruptcy Options with a North Carolina Bankruptcy Attorney Today

Times of financial crisis are extremely difficult and concerning. You may feel like you have no control over your circumstances, especially when the coronavirus outbreak caused them. You can take back some of your control by learning about your options for bankruptcy and what you can do to improve your finances. The first step is to schedule a free no-obligation meeting with an attorney at King Law Firm by calling (855) 675-1978 or use our convenient online contact form.

COVID-19 Financial Relief Options

Nearly every American has been impacted in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them have experienced financial struggles. Whether they were already working hard to make ends meet or living comfortably, the economic devastation is widespread. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 39 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic began. America is now experiencing its highest jobless rate since the Great Depression at 14.7 percent, and it is not expected to subside for at least a year. If you are among the individuals who are experiencing the financial impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, you might be wondering what options you have available to you.  A North Carolina bankruptcy attorney can review these options with you and help you determine which ones might benefit you the most.

Government Programs to Help Ease Financial Devastation

The federal government has since enacted numerous programs to help Americans get through these difficult financial times. Depending on their situation, some people may be able to take advantage of several of these options, which include:

• Mortgage forbearance
• Stimulus payments for those who qualify
• Increased and extended unemployment benefits, even for gig or contract workers
• Waived 401k penalties
• Increased paid sick leave benefits
• Suspended interest and payments for federal student loans
• Relief programs for small businesses
• Delayed foreclosure and eviction proceedings

For some Americans, these options will make a substantial difference in their financial picture. For others, they will barely skim the surface. If you are part of the latter group, you should explore additional options with a competent North Carolina bankruptcy lawyer.

Bankruptcy: A COVID-19 Financial Relief Option

If the above programs do not apply to your situation or don’t do very much to improve your finances, you may want to consider meeting with a North Carolina bankruptcy attorney and filing for bankruptcy. Depending on the types of debt you have, how much money you make, and other factors in your situation, filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be your best opportunity for financial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With either option, the following types of debts could be wiped away or reorganized into a manageable repayment plan:

• Mortgage arrears
• Utility bills
• Car loan payments
• Medical bills
• Credit card debt
• Unsecured personal loan debt
• Back rent

Since bankruptcy can cover a multitude of debts, it will be the most beneficial option for some debtors. Its impacts are widespread across debt, as opposed to government programs that only address a handful of financial concerns, and some only temporarily.

Did COVID-19 Put You in a Financial Bind? Find Out How a North Carolina Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help

If you are falling behind on payments, without a job, wondering how you will continue to make ends meet, or at risk of losing your vehicle or home, now is the time to contact a well-versed North Carolina bankruptcy lawyer. The longer you wait to pursue your options, the less they may benefit you or even be available to you. You can receive a free bankruptcy consultation at King Law Firm by calling (855) 205-9940 or use our convenient online contact form.