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South Carolina Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Falling From Unsecured Bunk Bed Ladder Aboard Carnival Horizon
Latoya Windham, a South Carolina resident, 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-24310-JEM, alleges that Windham suffered serious injuries when a defective bunk bed ladder dislodged as she attempted to descend from the top bunk in her stateroom aboard the Carnival Horizon on September 24, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Fall from Bunk Bed Due to Loose Ladder in Stateroom on Carnival Horizon
According to the complaint, Windham was sleeping in the top bunk of stateroom 2452 when she was awakened by a loudspeaker announcement. As she began to descend the ladder, it suddenly detached from its mount, causing her to fall. Windham struck her knee on a dresser before hitting the floor, allegedly sustaining serious injuries as a result.
The complaint asserts that the ladder was improperly secured to the bunk bed using J hooks, and that essential bolts or screws were missing. A Carnival stateroom attendant, who responded after the fall, confirmed the missing hardware. Windham alleges that Carnival failed to inspect or maintain the ladder in a safe condition, creating a hidden and dangerous condition in her cabin.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain and Inspect Hazardous Bunk Bed Ladders Aboard Carnival Horizon
The lawsuit includes two counts of negligence: failure to maintain and failure to inspect. Windham claims that Carnival and its crew had actual or constructive notice of the defect, as stewards are responsible for assembling and disassembling bunk beds daily. This daily interaction with the ladders allegedly gave crew members ample opportunity to notice missing hardware or safety issues.
The complaint also accuses Carnival of failing to implement adequate safety protocols or training for crew members regarding the proper maintenance of bunk bed ladders. Windham asserts that Carnival’s risk management and inspection procedures were either inadequate or not followed, allowing a known hazard to remain in place until her injury occurred.
Lawsuit Cites Multiple Prior Carnival Cases Involving Falls from Bunk Bed Ladders Across Fleet
Windham’s attorneys argue that Carnival was on notice of this specific danger due to previous lawsuits and claims involving bunk bed ladder failures aboard other ships in the fleet. The complaint references several prior incidents:
- Hunter v. Carnival Sunshine, Case No. 1:22-cv-20236
- Michel v. Carnival Conquest, Case No. 1:24-cv-21617
- Lugo v. Carnival Victory, Case No. 1:15-cv-21319
- Jenkins v. Carnival Panorama
- A 2024 incident aboard Carnival Celebration involving a child falling from an improperly installed ladder
These prior cases are cited as evidence that Carnival has long been aware of improperly installed or defective bunk bed ladders, yet failed to institute fleet-wide corrective measures.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Condition Was Not Open and Obvious and Could Have Been Easily Prevented
The complaint maintains that the condition of the ladder was not open and obvious to Windham, and that a reasonable inspection would have uncovered the missing bolts or screws. Carnival is alleged to keep maintenance records for each stateroom and to train its employees to detect and repair hazards. Windham argues that had Carnival followed its own policies, the accident could have been prevented entirely.
The lawsuit claims that Carnival failed to warn Windham about the unsafe condition or to remove the ladder from use. The failure to act allegedly resulted in Windham’s injuries, which include physical pain, emotional distress, permanent impairments, and future medical expenses.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Physical Injuries, Pain and Suffering, and Loss of Enjoyment Due to Carnival’s Negligence
Windham is seeking damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The complaint also seeks compensation for medical expenses and lost earnings, including future economic losses. The plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and alleges that her injuries were caused solely by Carnival’s negligence in failing to secure and inspect the bunk bed ladder.
Contact a Cruise Ship Bunk Bed Injury Attorney If You Were Hurt in a Stateroom Accident
Passengers injured aboard cruise ships due to defective or poorly maintained stateroom equipment—especially unsecured bunk bed ladders—may have legal rights under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a duty to ensure that passenger cabins are safe and free of hidden hazards. If you or someone you love was hurt in a similar accident, our legal team is here to help.
Contact us now to speak with a 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.