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California Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Ceiling Panel Falls on Her Head Aboard Carnival Freedom
Karen Bennett, a resident of California, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24215-KMM, alleges that Bennett sustained serious injuries when a ceiling panel became dislodged and struck her on the head and shoulders while she was walking through an interior corridor aboard the Carnival Freedom on July 17, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured by Falling Ceiling Panel in Interior Hallway on Carnival Freedom
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Bennett was lawfully walking through a Deck 7 corridor when a ceiling panel, previously unsecured or defectively installed, suddenly fell without warning. The panel struck her on the head, neck, and right shoulder, causing significant injuries. The complaint asserts that the ceiling appeared secure and the hazard was not open or obvious, with no warnings, barriers, or signage indicating any risk. Bennett had no reason to suspect a falling object hazard as she traversed the well-traveled corridor.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Ceiling Panels and Ignoring Prior Incidents of Falling Tiles
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazardous condition. It references numerous prior incidents involving falling ceiling tiles or panels aboard other Carnival ships, including Carnival Valor, Carnival Dream, Carnival Legend, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Liberty. Plaintiff’s counsel cites specific lawsuits—such as Lewis v. Carnival, Krueger v. Carnival, and Davis v. Carnival—as evidence that Carnival was aware of the recurring nature of this risk. The complaint asserts that Carnival failed to properly inspect or maintain ceiling panels in high-traffic areas despite having internal safety management system (SMS) policies designed to address such dangers.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Failed to Warn Passengers of Overhead Hazards and Did Not Secure the Area
Bennett also alleges that Carnival failed to warn passengers of the risk of loose or defective ceiling tiles. According to the complaint, Carnival neither marked the area with warning signage nor restricted passenger access. The falling panel was located in a common corridor and was positioned overhead, making it difficult for an average passenger to detect any instability. The plaintiff contends that the ceiling panel hazard was known or should have been known to the cruise line through routine maintenance procedures and that the area should have been cordoned off if any instability had been detected.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Head, Neck, and Shoulder Injuries, Pain, and Loss of Future Earnings
As a result of the incident, Bennett claims she suffered injuries to her head, neck, and right shoulder, along with pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment. She is also seeking damages for future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and diminished enjoyment of life. Her injuries are described as permanent or continuing in nature. The lawsuit brings two counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. Bennett’s legal team argues that Carnival breached its duty to exercise reasonable care and failed to take basic steps to protect passengers from a known and recurring hazard.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer If You Were Hurt by Falling Objects or Unsafe Conditions Aboard a Vessel
Passengers injured due to falling ceiling tiles or unsecured fixtures aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for maintaining all areas of the ship in a reasonably safe condition and for warning passengers of any hidden dangers. If you or a loved one were injured by a falling object aboard a cruise ship, our experienced maritime injury attorneys can help you explore your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship falling object injury lawyer.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.