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Virginia Passenger Sues Virgin Voyages After ACL Tear During Bungee Fitness Class Aboard Valiant Lady
Lelie Pond, a resident of Virginia, has filed a personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited, Inc., One Spa World LLC, and One Spa World (Bahamas) Ltd. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24192-KMW, alleges that Pond sustained a torn ACL requiring surgery after participating in a high-intensity bungee aerobics class aboard the Valiant Lady on October 23, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured During “On-the-Upswing” Bungee Fitness Class Due to Improper Harness and Bungee Cord Setup
According to the complaint, Pond was a fare-paying passenger on the Valiant Lady and enrolled in a complimentary group fitness class branded as “On-the-Upswing,” a bungee-assisted aerobics class offered on Deck 16 in the ship’s Training Camp Fitness area. The class, marketed as a “gravity-defying” workout, involves passengers wearing harnesses attached to ceiling-mounted bungee cords designed to facilitate dynamic jumps and resistance-based movements. The lawsuit alleges that Pond was not given any safety briefing and that the instructor failed to adjust the bungee cords according to her height and weight prior to the session. During a maneuver referred to as the “Superman,” the excessive tension in the cords caused Pond to land improperly, resulting in a severe knee injury. Medical evaluation later confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which required surgical repair.
Virgin Voyages and Spa Contractor Accused of Failing to Train, Supervise, and Safely Operate Cruise Ship Fitness Class
Pond is suing both Virgin Cruises and One Spa World, the company allegedly responsible for managing and staffing the class, for negligence. The lawsuit claims both companies failed to ensure instructors were properly trained, adequately supervised, and competent to lead such a physically demanding class. According to the complaint, the bungee cords were neither adjusted for participant safety nor monitored during the session, and passengers were not advised of risks associated with uncalibrated harnesses. The suit also alleges that this oversight constituted a dangerous condition that violated industry standards and internal safety protocols.
Complaint Highlights Cruise Line’s Knowledge of Risk and Cites Prior Incidents and Passenger Complaints
The lawsuit asserts that both Virgin Cruises and One Spa World had actual or constructive knowledge that improper cord tension posed a significant risk of injury. According to the filing, other passengers had previously complained about excessive resistance in the cords and reported discomfort during class maneuvers. The complaint also claims that Virgin failed to correct these issues despite conducting inspections and being aware of unsafe instruction practices. In addition to direct negligence, Pond alleges that the cruise line is vicariously liable for the actions of its crew and spa contractors, who were presented as Virgin employees through uniforms, name tags, and onboard branding.
Passenger Seeks Compensation for Medical Bills, Pain and Suffering, and Lost Value of Cruise After Fitness Class Injury
Pond is seeking damages for medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, future earning capacity, and the loss of enjoyment of life. The injury allegedly caused permanent impairment and forced her to forgo activities both during and after the cruise. She also seeks compensation for the diminished value of the vacation itself, including cruise fare and transportation expenses. The complaint brings multiple counts against the defendants, including negligent failure to supervise, failure to warn, negligent training, and vicarious liability.
Contact a Cruise Ship Fitness Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt During a Workout Class at Sea
Cruise lines offering onboard fitness classes have a legal duty to ensure that instructors are properly trained and that equipment is safe and properly adjusted for each passenger. Injuries caused by poorly supervised or improperly conducted fitness sessions, especially those involving resistance equipment, may be grounds for a maritime personal injury claim. If you suffered an injury during a fitness class or other recreational activity aboard a cruise ship, speak with a maritime injury attorney about your rights.
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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.