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Nevada Man Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Sauna Flooring Injury and Delayed Medical Treatment Aboard Carnival Firenze
Joel Steven Perlman, a resident of Nevada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24314-JB, alleges that Perlman suffered severe injuries after falling on loose modular flooring inside the sauna aboard the Carnival Firenze and was later denied timely medical care by shipboard staff.
Cruise Passenger Allegedly Thrown Off Balance by Detached Sauna Flooring Aboard Carnival Firenze
According to the complaint, Perlman entered the Cloud 9 Spa sauna on October 31, 2024, during his voyage aboard the Carnival Firenze. As he walked across the teak modular floorboards inside the sauna on Deck 12, a loose floorboard allegedly shifted or lifted beneath him, striking his feet and causing him to fall backward onto the hard flooring. Perlman claims that the flooring was dangerously unstable and lacked proper inspection, anchoring, or maintenance by Carnival and its crew.
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival was responsible for the design, installation, inspection, and upkeep of the modular flooring and failed to maintain the area in a reasonably safe condition for passengers. Perlman contends that no signage warned guests of potential hazards and that the defect was not open or obvious.
Carnival Accused of Negligent Spa Design and Delayed Medical Response After Onboard Injury
Following the incident, Perlman alleges he immediately experienced pain and swelling in his groin and was forced to seek treatment from the ship’s onboard medical facility. The complaint states that medical staff initially refused treatment until he provided a credit card and subsequently failed to offer appropriate or timely care, even after symptoms of tissue necrosis became evident.
Perlman claims that despite visible signs of a worsening condition, Carnival’s medical staff failed to escalate treatment or evacuate him for emergency care. Instead, he was allegedly forced to wait for routine disembarkation the next day, during which time his injuries progressed. He later required extensive medical intervention, including hospitalization and wound care.
Complaint Cites Negligent Floor Design, Lack of Inspection, and Improper Crew Training in Spa Safety
The lawsuit brings five counts against Carnival Corporation:
- Negligent failure to warn of the sauna flooring hazard
- Negligent maintenance and inspection of the flooring
- General negligence, including failure to follow safety protocols
- Vicarious liability for medical negligence under both actual agency and respondeat superior theories
Perlman asserts that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard due to its design and control over the spa environment and failed to conduct reasonable inspections. He also alleges that Carnival’s spa crew and medical staff lacked proper training and failed to follow internal safety and medical protocols. The complaint references prior similar incidents involving unstable flooring aboard other Carnival ships and cites Franza v. Royal Caribbean in support of holding Carnival accountable for the medical staff’s negligence.
Nevada Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Serious Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Ongoing Pain Due to Carnival’s Negligence
Perlman claims he suffered permanent bodily injuries, including tissue damage and emotional distress, as a result of Carnival’s failure to provide a safe environment and adequate medical care. He seeks compensatory damages exceeding $75,000 for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost earnings, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit was originally filed in Florida state court and removed by Carnival to the Southern District of Florida under diversity and maritime jurisdiction.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney If You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Spa Facilities or Delayed Medical Care
Passengers injured in cruise ship spas or denied timely medical attention may have legal claims under federal maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for ensuring that spa areas are safe and that onboard medical staff respond promptly and appropriately to passenger emergencies. If you suffered an injury due to dangerous ship conditions or medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship 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.