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Florida Man Sues Royal Caribbean After Injury from Malfunctioning Arcade Machine on Freedom of the Seas
Zachary Erlandson, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24685-JAL, alleges that Erlandson suffered severe foot injuries after a defective arcade game component detached and fell on him aboard the Freedom of the Seas.
Cruise Passenger Injured by Detached Handle on Big Bass Wheel Pro Arcade Machine Aboard Freedom of the Seas
The incident occurred on the evening of October 19, 2024, as Erlandson and his daughter visited the ship’s arcade to use up prepaid credits on their last night aboard. While playing the “Big Bass Wheel Pro” game—a popular arcade redemption machine—the handle allegedly came loose without warning and dropped onto Erlandson’s foot. The complaint claims the handle was improperly attached due to missing or loose internal components, making the game dangerous to operate.
According to the filing, the defective condition was not visible to passengers and was known or should have been known to Royal Caribbean due to regular usage and required inspections of such equipment. The arcade, located on Deck 12 of the Freedom of the Seas, was advertised by the cruise line as open 24/7 and accessible to both children and adults.
Lawsuit Alleges Royal Caribbean Failed to Inspect, Maintain, and Warn About Dangerous Arcade Equipment
The complaint accuses Royal Caribbean of multiple failures related to the Big Bass Wheel Pro arcade machine, including negligent maintenance, failure to inspect, and failure to warn. Erlandson’s legal team argues that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the defect, citing manufacturer recommendations for weekly inspections and reports from other cruise passengers about broken or malfunctioning arcade games on Royal Caribbean vessels.
The complaint details that arcade crew members and maintenance staff failed to secure the handle with appropriate hardware and did not block off the machine, post warning signs, or issue any verbal cautions about the condition of the equipment. Furthermore, the lawsuit references similar incidents involving defective attractions aboard Royal Caribbean ships, including the Skypad trampoline attraction, which caused serious injuries to both guests and actors filming promotional material.
Complaint Cites Defective Game Design, Manufacturer Guidelines, and Repeated Passenger Complaints
Erlandson alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to follow safety guidelines provided by the game’s manufacturer, Bay Tek Games, which recommend regular inspections to ensure the handle mechanism is securely fastened. He also points to online complaints from other passengers describing arcade machines as frequently broken, poorly maintained, and hazardous. These reviews—found on Royal Caribbean-related forums and social media—highlight widespread dissatisfaction and repeated issues with arcade game reliability across the fleet.
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean, through its actions and inactions, created an unreasonably dangerous condition for fare-paying passengers and breached its duty to provide a safe recreational environment.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Pain, Medical Costs, and Loss of Enjoyment After Arcade Injury
Erlandson is seeking compensation for physical injuries, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost income, and reduced quality of life stemming from the arcade incident. His injuries are described as permanent and continuing in nature, and the lawsuit includes counts for negligent maintenance, negligent inspection, negligent failure to warn, and vicarious liability for crew negligence.
The complaint claims the accident could have been prevented had Royal Caribbean adequately inspected and maintained the arcade equipment, or properly warned guests of the known risks associated with defective machines.
Cruise Ship Arcade Injuries Raise Safety Concerns for Passengers and Families
Passengers injured by malfunctioning entertainment attractions aboard cruise ships may have legal recourse under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are responsible for maintaining all public areas, including arcades, in a safe condition and must inspect equipment regularly to protect guests from foreseeable harm.
If you or a family member were injured aboard a cruise ship due to faulty arcade games or other defective onboard attractions, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact our cruise injury lawyers today to discuss your legal rights and options.
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.