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Maryland Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Ceiling Light Fixture Falls in Cabin on Vision of the Seas
Lieda Antoine-Louis, a Maryland resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23497, alleges that Antoine-Louis suffered severe and permanent injuries when a metal and glass ceiling light fixture fell onto her head inside her cabin aboard the Vision of the Seas on July 31, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Cabin When Overhead Light Fixture Detaches and Strikes Her on the Head
According to the complaint, Antoine-Louis was in her stateroom, Cabin 4510, around 10:30 a.m. when the incident occurred. While bending down to pick up an item from the floor, a ceiling-mounted glass and metal light fixture suddenly detached and fell, striking her head with significant force and knocking her to the ground. She reported immediate pain, dizziness, and an inability to stand. Later, her husband found her on the floor and summoned crew assistance. She was taken to the ship’s medical center, where she was treated for injuries that included a concussion, traumatic brain injury, and ongoing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and difficulty focusing.
The complaint alleges that after the incident, a maintenance crew member attempted to reattach the fixture but could not secure it, allegedly because it was the wrong size for the canopy in which it was installed. Antoine-Louis contends that the fixture was improperly sized, insecurely fastened, and inadequately maintained, creating a dangerous condition.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Inspect, Maintain, and Remedy Unsafe Cabin Lighting Fixtures
The lawsuit claims Royal Caribbean either knew or should have known about the hazardous condition due to routine cabin inspections, daily housekeeping, and periodic lightbulb changes that required removal of fixtures. Antoine-Louis alleges that crew members had a clear line of sight to the fixture during such inspections and should have recognized it was improperly secured. She further claims that the cruise line participated in the design, installation, and approval of the light fixture, or accepted it with design defects during construction or refurbishment.
According to the filing, Royal Caribbean failed to conduct adequate inspections required by its own safety protocols, did not perform necessary maintenance to secure the fixture, and failed to replace it with a safer alternative, despite having the ability to do so.
Complaint Cites Defective Design and Unsafe Installation of Light Fixture on Vision of the Seas
In addition to maintenance failures, the complaint alleges negligent design and installation of the fixture itself. Antoine-Louis contends that the light fixture lacked an adequate securing mechanism to prevent detachment, especially under maritime conditions such as ship movement and vibration. She claims Royal Caribbean’s design and approval process did not meet reasonable safety standards, and that the cruise line ignored or failed to implement industry guidelines for passenger safety in cabin fixtures.
The suit also asserts vicarious liability, alleging that Royal Caribbean’s crew and employees—responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining onboard fixtures—acted negligently within the scope of their employment. Antoine-Louis points out that the same type of fixture was allegedly installed throughout Royal Caribbean’s fleet, further evidencing corporate-level safety oversights.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Costs, and Loss of Cruise Value Due to Royal Caribbean’s Negligence
Antoine-Louis brings multiple counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including negligent failure to inspect, negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to remedy, negligent failure to warn, and negligent design and installation. She asserts that these breaches of duty directly caused her injuries, which she describes as permanent and life-altering. The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the lost value of her cruise and related travel arrangements.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney if You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Cabin Fixtures or Equipment
Cruise passengers injured due to falling objects, defective fixtures, or other unsafe cabin conditions may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to design, maintain, and inspect passenger areas to ensure they are free from foreseeable hazards. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury under similar circumstances aboard a cruise ship, our team of maritime injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise ship injury attorney.
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.