Cruise industry wins key norovirus judgment in landmark ruling

In what is being seen as a landmark decision, Hill Dickinson is the first law firm to have successfully defended a UK class action case involving a norovirus outbreak onboard a cruise liner. The case, which involved an outbreak of gastroenteritis onboard Thomson Spirit, chartered by TUI UK and operated by Louis Cruise, was a 43-claimant class action, 28 of whom had alleged bacterial illness with the balance claiming breach of contract. The case was brought against TUI UK which, as contracting carrier, would have been liable for the fault or neglect of the performing carrier, Louis, pursuant to the Athens Convention 1974.