The family of an 18-month-old girl who fell from the 11th floor of a cruise ship plans to sue Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, her mother said Monday.
18-month-old Chloe Wiegand died July 7 on Royal Caribbean‘s “Freedom Of The Seas” after falling through an inexplicably opened window her grandfather placed her next to, the Associated Press reported.
Kimberly Wiegand, her mother, told NBC’s “Today” Show that the family plans to hold the cruise line responsible for the safety issues they believe led to their daughter’s death. (RELATED: 1-Year-Old Dies After Falling From 11th Story Of Cruise Ship)
“We obviously blame them for not having a safer situation on the 11th floor of that cruise ship. There are a million things that could’ve been done to make that safer,” Wiegand told “Today.
The toddler was reportedly in a children’s play area when she was lifted by her grandfather up to a ledge next to a window, falling 11 stories to the dock below, as explained by the family’s attorney Michael Winkleman.
Winkleman said the family understands it was an accident, but questions the safety conditions of the area.
“Really the singular question is, were there safety measures that could have been in place and should have been in place? If they were in place, again, there would have been no tragedy,” he said.
“I know my mom was asking people, ‘Why on earth is there a window open on the 11th floor without a screen or anything?” said Wiegand of the accident.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our hearts go out to the family. We have assisted the authorities in San Juan with their inquiries, and they are the appropriate people to address further questions,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement, adding that it is cooperating with the investigation.
The boat was docked in Puerto Rico at the time of the accident. The family is from South Bend, Indiana.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.