Alabama Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Falling Ceiling Tile Causes Severe Injuries on Carnival Sunrise
Kimberly Davis, a resident of Alabama, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20529-WPD, alleges that Davis suffered serious and permanent injuries when a ceiling tile fell on her head and shoulder while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Sunrise on March 4, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Struck by Falling Ceiling Tile on Carnival Sunrise Near Deck 7 Elevator Bank
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Davis was walking near the elevator bank on Deck 7 of the vessel. Without warning, a ceiling tile dislodged and struck her on the head, right arm, and right shoulder. The lawsuit asserts that the ceiling tile constituted a dangerous condition because it was not properly positioned, maintained, or inspected by the cruise line. Davis alleges that as a fare paying passenger, she was lawfully aboard the ship and was entitled to reasonable care, which Carnival failed to provide. The complaint further notes that at the time of the injury, Davis was simply walking through a public area of the ship and did nothing to contribute to the cause of the incident.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Ignoring Fleetwide Pattern of Dangerous Ceiling Tile Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions regarding ceiling tiles across its fleet. Plaintiff’s legal team references a significant history of prior falling ceiling tile lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida to demonstrate that the cruise line was aware of this specific hazard. The complaint cites several similar cases, including Kreuger v. Carnival involving the Carnival Valor, Giusti v. Carnival and Howard Hughes v. Carnival involving the Carnival Dream, and Stevens v. Carnival involving the Carnival Liberty. Most recently, the complaint points to a 2025 incident aboard the Carnival Freedom where a passenger was also struck by a falling tile on Deck 7. Davis argues that these prior incidents should have prompted Carnival to implement more rigorous inspection and maintenance protocols to prevent such foreseeable accidents.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Falling Overhead Hazards in Ship Casino
In addition to the specific incident on Deck 7, the complaint highlights a breach of duty regarding the safety of passengers in areas where they are invited to congregate. Davis alleges that Carnival failed to sufficiently warn her of the dangerously placed ceiling tile or the propensity for such tiles to fall. The complaint notes that she was also in the Shotgun Club Casino during her cruise, another area where passengers are expected to spend time. The legal filing argues that Carnival failed to close off hazardous areas, neglected to place warning signs, and did not have adequate staff monitoring for tiles that looked like they could fall. The plaintiff asserts that it was Carnival’s own policy to monitor these areas for hazards before each voyage, yet these internal safety standards were allegedly ignored.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Due to Cruise Line Negligence
Davis brings four counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent maintenance, general negligence, negligence under a theory of res ipsa loquitur, and negligent failure to warn. She claims that as a direct result of Carnival’s negligence, she suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and disfigurement. The lawsuit states that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, resulting in medical expenses and an impaired ability to work. Beyond physical and emotional damages, Davis is seeking compensation for the lost benefit of her vacation, including cruise and transportation costs. She has demanded a trial by jury to determine the full extent of the damages recoverable under maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Ship Falling Object Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by Unsafe Vessel Conditions
Cruise passengers who are injured by falling objects, poorly maintained fixtures, or overhead hazards may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a non-delegable duty to ensure that their vessels are maintained in a reasonably safe condition for all passengers. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a falling ceiling tile, loose fixture, or lack of proper maintenance during a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and holding cruise lines accountable for safety failures.
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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.
