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Florida Man Sues MSC Cruises After Contracting Salmonella Food Poisoning on MSC World America
David Hillbery, a Florida resident, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A., alleging that he was served contaminated food aboard the MSC World America, which led to a serious case of Salmonella infection. The complaint, filed on August 30, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:25-cv-23923-AHS, seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for physical and emotional harm allegedly caused by unsafe food handling practices on board.
Passenger Diagnosed with Salmonellosis After Consuming Allegedly Contaminated Food on Final Days of Caribbean Cruise
According to the complaint, Hillbery was a passenger on a seven-night Caribbean cruise departing from Miami on June 21, 2025. The illness began on the evening of June 27, 2025, the final night of the cruise, when Hillbery developed a high fever, severe nausea, and diarrhea. Upon returning to Miami the next day, he was treated at an urgent care facility and later hospitalized at Jackson South Community Hospital.
Medical testing confirmed a diagnosis of Salmonellosis, a bacterial infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Salmonella. Hillbery remained in the hospital for four days due to the seriousness of his condition. The complaint alleges that both Hillbery and his doctors traced the source of the infection to food served at one of the MSC World America’s onboard restaurants during the final days of the voyage.
Lawsuit Claims MSC Breached Its Duty of Care by Serving Contaminated Food to Passenger
Under general maritime law, cruise operators owe passengers a duty of reasonable care, including ensuring that food served on board is safe for consumption. The complaint asserts that MSC Cruises breached this duty by negligently allowing its employees to serve food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, resulting in significant and ongoing harm to Hillbery.
The lawsuit also highlights that foodborne illness cases such as Salmonella are well understood medically, and that physicians can estimate the timing of exposure with reasonable precision. Based on the onset of symptoms, Hillbery’s doctors concluded that the infection originated from meals served on the vessel.
Plaintiff Alleges Lasting Physical and Emotional Harm After Cruise Ship Food Poisoning
Hillbery claims that he continues to suffer from the aftereffects of the illness, including pain, weakness, and gastrointestinal issues. The lawsuit seeks compensation for pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, and other damages, some of which are alleged to be permanent or ongoing in nature.
In addition to his physical injuries, Hillbery is seeking redress for the emotional distress and inconvenience of being hospitalized far from home, as well as the loss of the value of the cruise experience itself.
Cruise Food Poisoning Victims May Be Entitled to Compensation Under Maritime Law
Cruise ship passengers who become seriously ill from food poisoning may have the right to pursue legal action under maritime law. Illnesses caused by contaminated food, including Salmonella, can have long-term health consequences and often stem from lapses in food safety protocols on board.
If you or someone you know became ill on a cruise due to unsafe food, you may be eligible for compensation. An experienced cruise ship food poisoning attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime injury lawyer experienced in cruise ship foodborne illness claims.
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.