Bosnia Resident Sues International Cruise Shops and Silversea Cruises After Severe Gangway Fall in Australia
Nidzara Mulic, a citizen of Bosnia and a professional boutique manager, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against International Cruise Shops Ltd. and Silversea Cruises Ltd., Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21258-KMM, alleges that Mulic suffered catastrophic knee injuries while working as a seaman and concessionaire aboard the vessel Muse. The complaint seeks damages in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars for negligence under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law.
Boutique Manager Sustains Devastating Knee Injury on Silversea Muse Gangway Due to Eroded Friction Strips
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on November 15, 2024, as Mulic was exiting the Silversea Muse while the ship was docked in Australia. While she was descending the gangway, she slipped and fell with significant force, severely injuring her right knee. The lawsuit alleges that the gangway was in a dangerous and defective condition because the friction strips, which are essential for providing traction and helping individuals navigate the incline safely, were essentially eroded and gone. Mulic asserts that there were no warning signs posted to alert crew members or passengers of the slippery and hazardous nature of the walkway. The gangway is identified as a part of the ship owned and maintained by Silversea.
Security Staff Allegedly Admits to Worn Friction Strips Following Multiple Slip and Fall Incidents on the Same Day
The legal filing highlights a troubling series of events following the accident. After injuring her knee, Mulic went to the ship’s infirmary where she allegedly discovered a cruise guest already being treated for a slip and fall that occurred on the exact same gangway. The complaint states that Silversea security staff admitted to Mulic that the friction strips were worn out and useless at the time of her fall. Despite these admissions and the known danger, the lawsuit claims the friction strips were only replaced two days after Mulic sustained her injuries. This delay in maintenance and failure to secure the area after the first fall are central to the plaintiff’s claims of negligence.
Crew Member Forced to Work for Weeks Despite Ligament Rupture and Dislocated Patella
A significant portion of the lawsuit focuses on the alleged failure of International Cruise Shops and Silversea to provide prompt and adequate medical treatment. Following the fall, ship doctors allegedly told Mulic she was essentially okay and granted her only two days of rest. She was then required to continue her duties as a boutique manager for several weeks. It was not until December 5, 2024, that a shoreside X-ray revealed a loose body in her knee. Even after this discovery, she continued working until an MRI interpreted on December 20, 2024, revealed a devastating ligament rupture, a patellar dislocation, and torn cartilage. Mulic was finally disembarked for emergency surgery on December 23, 2024, over a month after the initial injury.
Silversea and International Cruise Shops Accused of Jones Act Negligence and Failure to Provide Maintenance and Cure
Mulic brings multiple counts against the defendants, including failure to provide maintenance and cure, Jones Act negligence, and unseaworthiness. She alleges that as her contractual employer, International Cruise Shops breached its non-delegable duty to provide for her medical care and unearned wages until she reached maximum medical improvement. The complaint argues that the delay in providing diagnostic testing and surgery aggravated her condition and caused unnecessary pain and suffering. Furthermore, she alleges that Silversea failed to provide a seaworthy vessel by allowing the gangway to remain in a dilapidated state. As a result of the incident, Mulic underwent reconstruction of her medial patellofemoral ligament and has been informed by surgeons that she will likely require multiple knee replacements in the future.
Contact a Cruise Ship Crew Injury Lawyer Today if You Sustained Injuries While Working at Sea
Crew members and concessionaires who are injured while working aboard a vessel have specific rights under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. When cruise lines or shipboard employers fail to maintain safe working conditions or neglect to provide necessary medical care, injured workers may be entitled to significant compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent disability. If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall or another serious injury while employed on a cruise ship, it is essential to consult with a legal professional who understands the complexities of maritime litigation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
