California Father Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Carnival Cruise Line After Son Dies from Medical Emergency on Carnival Firenze
Roger Sepulveda, a resident of California, has filed a significant maritime wrongful death lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The civil action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20339, alleges that his son, Adam Sepulveda, passed away aboard the Carnival Firenze due to the cruise line’s failure to respond to emergency calls and the subsequent incompetent medical care provided by shipboard personnel. The complaint asserts claims for negligence, vicarious liability, and negligent hiring and retention following the incident on August 5, 2025.
Carnival Firenze Crew Accused of Ignoring Emergency Calls During Critical Passenger Medical Crisis
According to the factual background detailed in the complaint, Adam Sepulveda was traveling with his father, stepmother, and brother on a round-trip cruise from Long Beach, California. The incident reportedly began while the vessel was docked in Ensenada, Mexico. The lawsuit states that Adam’s brother observed Adam vomiting and generally unwell in their shared cabin bathroom. When Adam collapsed and expressed he was in pain, his brother alerted their parents in a nearby cabin. As Adam lost consciousness, his family repeatedly attempted to call the ship’s emergency telephone line but allegedly received no response. This lack of answer forced Adam’s father to leave the cabin and physically search for assistance. He eventually located a crew member, believed to be a janitor, who radioed for help. The plaintiff asserts that Carnival failed to maintain a functioning emergency communication system and that this failure caused a substantial and critical delay in obtaining medical attention for the unresponsive passenger.
Complaint Alleges Carnival Medical Staff Administered Injections Without Coordination or Proper Documentation
The lawsuit provides a disturbing account of the medical response once the team finally arrived at the cabin. The plaintiff alleges that the medical personnel acted with visible confusion and a lack of leadership. While performing CPR, the medical team reportedly administered three to four injections to Adam. However, the complaint claims the family witnessed staff members asking one another who had administered the shots and at what time, with no one able to provide a clear answer. The legal filing suggests that the medical team failed to track medications or document the timeline of care, resulting in a chaotic environment while the passenger remained unresponsive. Although emergency medical services from Mexico were eventually dispatched, the lawsuit alleges further delays occurred before they arrived on the vessel. The complaint notes that Carnival’s own medical examiner later expressed confusion regarding the information received from the ship’s staff about the care Adam received.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Is Vicariously Liable for Negligent Acts of Shipboard Medical Personnel and Crew
Roger Sepulveda seeks to hold Carnival Corporation vicariously liable for the actions of its employees and agents. The complaint argues that Carnival had a duty to ensure its medical personnel were competent and that its non-medical crew was trained to handle emergencies. The lawsuit emphasizes that the medical staff wore Carnival uniforms, worked in a facility branded as the Carnival Medical Center, and were subject to the cruise line’s control. The plaintiff asserts that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to ensure a coordinated response to the medical emergency. Specific allegations include the failure to supervise the medical team, the failure to secure timely shore-side assistance, and the failure to employ doctors and nurses capable of managing a life-threatening crisis. The filing argues that these systemic failures created an unreasonable risk of death for passengers.
Plaintiff Asserts Negligent Hiring and Retention of Incompetent Medical Staff Contributed to Wrongful Death
Beyond the specific events in the cabin, the lawsuit targets Carnival’s corporate hiring and retention practices. The complaint alleges that Carnival negligently selected and hired medical personnel who were unfit to provide emergency care. The plaintiff argues that it was reasonably foreseeable that passengers would suffer sudden medical crises and that Carnival had an obligation to vet its staff for competency in resuscitation and crisis management. The filing suggests that Carnival knew or should have known that its medical staff lacked the necessary training and organizational skills to save a life in such circumstances. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Carnival was negligent in retaining these employees despite their alleged inability to adhere to basic patient safety practices, such as medication tracking and clear communication during a code.
Estate Seeks Compensatory and Punitive Damages for Conscious Pain and Suffering and Loss of Life
The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence against Carnival, including general negligence, vicarious liability based on actual and apparent agency, and negligent hiring and retention. Roger Sepulveda, acting as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Adam Sepulveda, seeks damages for the loss of support and services, medical expenses, and the conscious pain and suffering Adam endured prior to his death. Additionally, the complaint includes a demand for punitive damages, alleging that Carnival’s conduct demonstrated a reckless and callous disregard for human life. The plaintiff argues that the breakdown in emergency response and medical coordination was not a momentary error but a reflection of a conscious disregard for passenger safety standards.
Contact a Cruise Ship Medical Negligence Lawyer Today if You Lost a Loved One Due to Incompetent Care
When a medical emergency occurs at sea, passengers rely entirely on the cruise line’s emergency systems and medical staff for survival. If a cruise line fails to answer emergency calls, delays treatment, or provides incompetent medical care resulting in injury or death, the victims and their families may have grounds for legal action under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal obligation to hire competent medical professionals and maintain functional emergency protocols. If you or a family member suffered due to medical negligence or a delayed emergency response aboard a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping families understand their rights and holding negligent cruise lines accountable.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship wrongful death 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.
