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Peruvian Passenger Sues MSC Cruises After Tripping Over Camouflaged Couch in Tiger Bar Aboard MSC Magnifica
Gladys Romarioni de Iparraguirre, a citizen of Peru, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23744-KMM, alleges that she sustained serious injuries aboard the MSC Magnifica after tripping over a concealed couch base in the Tiger Bar during her October 2024 cruise.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Tiger Bar Trip and Fall Due to Camouflaged Couch Obstructing Walkway on MSC Magnifica
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on the evening of October 12, 2024, while Romarioni de Iparraguirre was walking through the Tiger Bar on Deck 6 of the MSC Magnifica in search of a place to sit with her family. She alleges that the base of a curved, semi-circular couch was protruding into the passenger walkway and was covered in a tiger-print fabric identical to the surrounding carpet, effectively camouflaging the obstruction.
Believing the area was safe to walk through—due to the absence of warning signs, cones, or barriers—Romarioni de Iparraguirre tripped over the hidden base of the couch and fell forward, allegedly fracturing her right wrist and suffering other injuries. The complaint states that after the fall, other passengers nearby told her that multiple individuals had recently tripped on the same couch base.
MSC Accused of Negligent Design and Failure to Warn Passengers About Dangerous Obstruction in Onboard Bar
The lawsuit claims MSC Cruises negligently designed and maintained the Tiger Bar seating area in a manner that created a foreseeable tripping hazard. Specifically, it alleges that the couch’s tiger-patterned upholstery matched the carpet so closely that the base visually blended into the floor, making it nearly invisible to guests. This design choice, combined with the placement of the couch in a pedestrian walkway, is described as particularly dangerous for elderly passengers and children.
Romarioni de Iparraguirre alleges that MSC failed to warn her or other passengers about the concealed obstruction and did not implement any safety precautions such as signage, caution tape, or floor markings to indicate the hazard. The suit argues that MSC had either actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition because it existed for a sufficient length of time and had allegedly caused other recent incidents.
Complaint Alleges MSC Failed to Inspect and Maintain Bar Seating Area in Accordance with Reasonable Safety Standards
The complaint further asserts that MSC failed to adequately inspect or monitor the Tiger Bar seating area despite the high volume of passenger foot traffic. The plaintiff’s legal team claims that reasonable safety procedures—such as repositioning the couch, changing the upholstery to a contrasting color, or removing the couch entirely—would have prevented the injury.
Romarioni de Iparraguirre contends that MSC’s failure to detect or address the issue through regular inspections reflects broader lapses in the company’s maintenance and safety protocols. She also alleges that MSC failed to train its crew in how to recognize and mitigate such safety risks.
Passenger Seeks Compensation for Fractured Wrist, Medical Bills, and Loss of Cruise Value Following Tiger Bar Injury
The lawsuit brings six counts of negligence against both MSC Cruises S.A. and MSC Cruises (USA) LLC, including negligent design, failure to warn, and failure to maintain safe premises. Romarioni de Iparraguirre claims the defendants breached their duty to exercise reasonable care for passengers by allowing a concealed tripping hazard to exist in a frequently used public space aboard the ship.
As a result of her fall, she alleges she sustained a fractured wrist, underwent medical treatment both onboard and post-cruise, and continues to experience pain, disability, and emotional distress. The lawsuit also seeks damages for loss of enjoyment of the cruise, medical expenses, and the lasting impact of her injuries on her daily life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured by a Hidden Hazard Aboard a Vessel
Trip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships often stem from design flaws, lack of warnings, or poor maintenance in high-traffic areas such as bars and lounges. Maritime law entitles injured passengers to seek compensation when cruise lines fail to provide a safe environment or warn of hidden dangers. If you were injured in a similar incident, such as tripping over a poorly marked obstacle, you may have grounds for a legal claim.
Contact us today to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer who understands the complexities of maritime law and onboard safety obligations.
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.