California Man Sues Carnival Corporation After Tripping on Defective Floor Tile Aboard Carnival Conquest
Andre Moore, a resident of California, 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-21234, alleges that Moore suffered serious and permanent physical injuries after tripping on a structurally defective floor tile while walking through an interior passenger corridor on the Carnival Conquest. The incident took place on April 9, 2025, as the vessel was in navigable waters.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Conquest Deck 9 Due to Cracked and Uneven Interior Walkway Tile
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Moore was walking in a primary interior passenger walkway on Deck 9 of the vessel. The area served as a transition point between the ship’s buffet and the pool deck, making it a high-traffic zone for guests moving between public spaces. Moore alleges that the deck surface in this specific area contained a depressed, cracked, and uneven tile that was structurally defective. Unlike transient hazards like spilled liquids, the complaint asserts that this was a permanent structural flaw. The tile was reportedly visibly displaced, creating a ledge capable of catching a passenger’s foot. Moore claims the hazard was not open or obvious to a reasonably attentive passenger exercising ordinary care.
Carnival Accused of Ignoring Prior Maintenance Work Orders Regarding Dangerous Flooring Conditions
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival Corporation had actual knowledge of the dangerous flooring condition before Moore ever encountered it. Legal counsel for the plaintiff asserts that shipboard security personnel had previously identified the hazardous tile and had even submitted a maintenance work order for the area before the date of the fall. Despite this specific notice, the cruise line allegedly failed to repair the flooring, barricade the area, or provide any warnings to passengers. Following the fall, two members of the ship’s massage staff reportedly witnessed the incident and assisted Moore. Furthermore, security personnel who responded to the scene allegedly confirmed that a prior work order existed for the defective tile.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Maintain and Inspect Interior Passenger Walkways on Carnival Ships
In addition to the claims of actual knowledge, the lawsuit argues that Carnival failed in its duty to implement and follow reasonable inspection and maintenance procedures. Moore alleges that the defective condition existed for a sufficient duration that the cruise line should have discovered it through routine safety sweeps. The complaint brings four specific counts of negligence against the defendant: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and negligent failure to inspect. The plaintiff argues that Carnival breached its duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its passengers by allowing a known tripping hazard to persist in a major thoroughfare.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Knee Surgery and Lost Earning Capacity Following Cruise Ship Fall
As a direct result of the trip and fall, Moore claims to have sustained significant injuries to his left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder. The severity of the knee injury required him to undergo surgery on September 18, 2025. Before the accident, Moore worked as an Uber driver with a consistent earnings history. He alleges that his injuries have materially reduced his ability to work, resulting in lost wages and a permanent impairment of his future earning capacity. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical disability, mental anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of life, noting that Moore continues to suffer from daily pain and functional limitations.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Defective Flooring Aboard a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained flooring, broken tiles, or hidden tripping hazards may be entitled to recover damages under maritime law. Cruise operators like Carnival have a legal responsibility to ensure that all passenger walkways are kept in a reasonably safe condition and that known hazards are repaired or clearly marked. If you or a loved one experienced a similar injury due to a maintenance failure or hazardous condition on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your potential claim. We are dedicated to helping injured passengers understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.
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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.
