Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Lawyer advises against liner offer

Updated at 12:02 pm on 10 February 2012

An American lawyer says Costa Concordia passengers should not accept anything less than $US100,000 in compensation from the owner of the liner.

The ship capsized near the island of Giglio off the western coast of Italy on 13 January.

Seventeen people are certified dead from the disaster and 15 remain unaccounted for.

John Arthur Eaves said in Rome on Thursday than an offer of 11,000 euros by Carnival Corporation was disrespectful to people who went through a Titanic experience for six hours.

He also advised passengers not to pursue class action suits, saying individual cases against Carnival stood "a much better chance of success" in courts in the United States.

Passengers who were physically injured and relatives of the dead are subject to a different offer.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand