Arizona Passenger Sues Carnival After Tripping on Raised Threshold Near Shops on Carnival Firenze
Cherry Hernandez, a resident of Arizona, 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-22950-BB, stems from a trip and fall incident aboard the Carnival Firenze on August 28, 2024, allegedly caused by an uneven and protruding metal threshold near The Fun Shops on Deck 5.
Carnival Firenze Passenger Injured by Raised Metal Flooring Strip on Deck 5 Near Shopping Area
According to the complaint, Hernandez was walking on Deck 5 toward her stateroom when she tripped on an exposed metal threshold that was not flush with the surrounding flooring. The area, located adjacent to The Fun Shops, is described in the filing as heavily trafficked and maintained under Carnival’s exclusive control. The lawsuit claims the raised flooring created a hidden hazard that was not open or obvious to passengers. Hernandez asserts she had no opportunity to avoid the hazard and that the condition caused her to fall, sustaining serious and permanent injuries.
Carnival Allegedly Failed to Correct Known Hazard Despite Similar Prior Incidents Across Fleet
The complaint cites several prior lawsuits involving similar trip and fall accidents on other Carnival ships, including the Carnival Venezia, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Breeze. In those cases, passengers tripped on raised or unsecured metal strips and thresholds that were improperly installed or inadequately maintained. Hernandez’s attorneys argue these prior incidents put Carnival on notice of the risks posed by these flooring defects, yet the cruise line failed to inspect, correct, or adequately warn passengers on the Firenze.
In addition to its history of similar hazards, the lawsuit claims Carnival violated industry safety standards, including SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations, which require that escape routes and passenger pathways be kept clear and in safe condition. The plaintiff argues the uneven threshold failed to meet those standards and Carnival’s own policies for monitoring public areas.
Complaint Brings Multiple Counts of Negligence Including Failure to Maintain, Warn, and Design Safe Passenger Pathways
Hernandez’s lawsuit brings three separate counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The complaint details how Carnival allegedly failed to regularly inspect the threshold, monitor the walking area, or post warning signs. It also alleges that Carnival did not properly design or select the flooring materials for high-traffic guest areas and failed to test or evaluate these thresholds for safety under anticipated use.
The complaint further claims that Carnival failed to properly train crew members to recognize and correct flooring hazards and did not enforce internal policies for identifying and remedying trip risks.
Passenger Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries and Disruption of Cruise Experience Due to Dangerous Condition on Carnival Firenze
Hernandez seeks damages for physical injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical costs, and lost enjoyment of life. She also requests compensation for the loss of the vacation and associated expenses resulting from the incident. Her injuries are alleged to be permanent and ongoing, affecting her physical health, working ability, and overall quality of life.
Hurt on a Cruise Ship Due to an Unsafe Walkway or Threshold? Speak With a Maritime Injury Lawyer Today
Passengers who are injured due to uneven thresholds, protruding flooring materials, or poorly maintained walking surfaces aboard cruise ships may have legal claims under federal maritime law. Cruise lines are required to maintain safe public areas and must address known trip hazards or warn passengers of dangers. If you or a loved one suffered a trip and fall injury aboard a Carnival cruise, our team of maritime personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise ship trip and fall attorney.
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Indiana Passenger Sues Carnival After Trip and Fall on Unmarked Raised Threshold Aboard Carnival Venezia
Vickie Jordan, a resident of Indiana, 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-22965-DSL, centers on a trip and fall incident that occurred aboard the Carnival Venezia on July 23, 2024. Jordan alleges she tripped over an unmarked raised metal threshold near the Piano Bar and Bonsai Restaurant on Deck 5.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Venezia by Elevated, Unmarked Threshold Near Popular Dining Area
According to the complaint, Jordan was walking along Deck 5 near the Bonsai Restaurant when she suddenly tripped over a metal strip that protruded above the flooring level. The raised threshold allegedly lacked any visible markings, caution signs, or warnings to alert passengers of the hazard. As a result of the fall, Jordan claims she sustained serious and permanent injuries.
The lawsuit states that the threshold was elevated above industry standards and created an unreasonable trip hazard that was not open or obvious to passengers. Carnival is accused of failing to warn guests or cordon off the dangerous area, despite the high foot traffic in the vicinity of the vessel’s dining and entertainment venues.
Complaint Cites Prior Lawsuits Involving Similar Threshold Hazards on Carnival Ships
Jordan’s legal team alleges that Carnival knew or should have known about the risks posed by the raised threshold based on prior similar incidents aboard other Carnival vessels. The complaint references several federal lawsuits, including Dorrian v. Carnival Corporation, Scruggs v. Carnival Corporation, Branton v. Carnival Corporation, and Patton v. Carnival Corporation, all involving passengers tripping over similar unmarked metal thresholds.
These previous lawsuits are presented as evidence that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangers of such flooring transitions, particularly in high-traffic guest areas. Despite this knowledge, the cruise line allegedly failed to correct the hazardous design or implement sufficient safety measures across its fleet.
Carnival Accused of Negligent Design, Maintenance, and Failure to Warn About Dangerous Threshold
The lawsuit brings four negligence-based counts against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent design, and general negligence. The complaint contends that Carnival designed or approved the flooring in the subject area with a dangerous elevation change and did not conduct routine inspections or provide adequate warnings.
Jordan’s attorneys argue that Carnival violated both internal safety policies and its duty under maritime law to maintain reasonably safe conditions for passengers. They also claim Carnival failed to modify its vessel design despite having knowledge of previous injuries involving similarly raised metal thresholds on sister ships like the Carnival Vista and Carnival Victory.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Lost Cruise Enjoyment After Fall on Carnival Venezia
As a result of the incident, Jordan claims to have suffered bodily injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of income, and a diminished enjoyment of life. She also seeks compensation for the lost value of her cruise, travel expenses, and other damages resulting from the disruption of her vacation.
Injured by a Trip Hazard Aboard a Carnival Ship? Speak With a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney
Trip and fall injuries aboard cruise ships often result from improperly maintained flooring, unmarked elevation changes, or design flaws in high-traffic passenger areas. Cruise lines like Carnival have a duty to correct known hazards and warn passengers of risks that may not be immediately obvious. If you or a loved one has suffered a similar injury, our team of experienced maritime personal injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation under federal maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship trip and fall attorney.
