Kentucky Couple Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Alleged Bed Bug Infestation Aboard Carnival Conquest
Otho Hogue and Kuyeann Hogue, residents of Louisville, Kentucky, have filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25791, alleges that both plaintiffs suffered serious injuries after being exposed to a bed bug infestation while staying in their cabin aboard the Carnival Conquest during a December 2024 cruise.
Cruise Passengers Allege Bed Bug Infestation in Cabin Aboard Carnival Conquest
According to the complaint, the Hogues were paying guests aboard the Carnival Conquest on or about December 24, 2024. During their voyage, they allege that their assigned stateroom was infested with bed bugs, resulting in repeated bites over large areas of their bodies. The lawsuit claims the infestation extended beyond the bedding to their personal clothing and belongings, causing ongoing distress and disruption during and after the cruise.
The plaintiffs contend that they had no warning of the infestation before occupying the cabin and that the condition was not open or obvious. They allege they relied on Carnival to provide a reasonably safe and sanitary stateroom fit for passenger use, as required under maritime law.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect, Maintain, and Sanitize Passenger Cabins
The complaint alleges that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to properly inspect, clean, and maintain the stateroom prior to assigning it to the Hogues. The plaintiffs claim the cruise line either created the dangerous condition or allowed it to exist for a sufficient period of time that Carnival knew or should have known about the infestation.
The lawsuit further alleges that Carnival failed to take reasonable steps to eliminate the bed bugs, prevent their spread, or warn passengers of the potential hazard. According to the complaint, no adequate measures were taken to protect the Hogues from exposure, despite Carnival’s responsibility to maintain sanitary living conditions aboard its vessels.
Lawsuit Alleges Carnival Had Knowledge of Dangerous Cabin Conditions Before Voyage
The Hogues allege that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the bed bug infestation prior to their injuries. The complaint asserts that bed bug infestations are a known risk in the cruise industry and that reasonable inspection and pest control procedures should have identified and corrected the condition before passengers were permitted to occupy the cabin.
The lawsuit claims Carnival failed to implement or enforce adequate pest control protocols, allowing the infestation to persist and expose passengers to foreseeable harm. The plaintiffs argue that these failures reflect a broader breakdown in Carnival’s maintenance and sanitation practices aboard the Carnival Conquest.
Plaintiffs Seek Damages for Physical Injuries, Emotional Distress, and Financial Losses
Both Otho and Kuyeann Hogue bring separate negligence claims against Carnival Cruise Line. They allege they suffered painful bites, permanent scarring, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint also seeks compensation for medical treatment, prescription medications, skin care products, replacement of contaminated clothing, additional lodging expenses, and lost earning capacity.
The lawsuit asserts that the injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and that the Hogues will continue to incur damages in the future. Each plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $50,000, along with other relief permitted under maritime law.
Speak With a Cruise Ship Bed Bug Injury Lawyer If You Were Harmed by Unsanitary Cabin Conditions
Bed bug infestations aboard cruise ships can cause serious physical and psychological harm, particularly when cruise lines fail to properly inspect and sanitize passenger cabins. Maritime law requires cruise operators to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, including maintaining staterooms in a safe and sanitary condition for paying guests.
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.
