California Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Severe Burns from Steam on Mexico Shore Excursion Bus
Nanh Khabanh, a California resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Carnival Corporation, doing business as Carnival Cruise Lines. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival’s negligence caused Khabanh to suffer severe burns to her legs during a Mexico shore excursion purchased directly through the cruise line. The complaint claims Carnival is responsible for the unsafe excursion conditions and failed to warn passengers of the hazards.
Passenger Purchased Carnival-Promoted Shore Excursion and Suffered Steam Burns
According to the complaint, Khabanh purchased the excursion through Carnival’s website prior to her cruise. She believed the excursion was a Carnival-operated activity because it was advertised onboard, sold through Carnival’s excursion desk, and billed directly to her cruise account.
On August 3, 2024, Khabanh participated in the scheduled excursion. The complaint alleges that while exiting the bus that transported passengers to the excursion site, steam was released from the vehicle, severely burning her legs. The injury occurred before the excursion itself began, during transportation arranged and promoted by Carnival.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Represented Excursion as Its Own and Failed to Vet Safety
Khabanh alleges that Carnival promoted and sold the excursion without adequately disclosing that it was operated by a third party. The lawsuit claims Carnival:
- Marketed the excursion under its own brand name without identifying the actual operator
- Collected payment directly and issued all receipts
- Used its logo in marketing materials and excursion literature
- Operated an onboard excursion desk to answer questions and assist with bookings
- Recommended that passengers only book excursions through Carnival to ensure safety
The plaintiff contends that Carnival either operated the excursion itself or acted as if it did, creating an apparent agency relationship with the excursion provider. She alleges Carnival failed to properly vet the excursion operator, confirm its adherence to industry safety standards, or inspect the transportation used to carry passengers to the activity.
Complaint Alleges Apparent Agency and Vicarious Liability for Excursion Operator’s Negligence
The lawsuit asserts that Carnival is vicariously liable for the negligence of the excursion operator because the company acted as Carnival’s apparent agent. Khabanh alleges she reasonably relied on Carnival’s representations and would not have purchased the excursion otherwise.
She claims Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition — the defective or improperly maintained bus — and should have taken reasonable steps to ensure passenger safety. The complaint argues that Carnival derived significant financial benefit from selling the excursion and therefore had a duty to ensure its safety.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe and Permanent Injuries
Khabanh alleges the steam burns caused serious and permanent injuries, requiring medical treatment and resulting in pain, emotional distress, lost income, and reduced quality of life. She asserts the injuries have ongoing consequences and will require future medical care.
Cruise Lines’ Duty to Ensure Safety on Promoted Shore Excursions
Maritime law recognizes that cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care, which can extend to shore excursions they promote, sell, and arrange. Courts have found cruise lines may be liable when they hold excursions out as their own or create the appearance of control over third-party operators.
Incidents involving unsafe excursion transportation — including poorly maintained buses, unsafe boats, or defective equipment — have led to lawsuits against multiple cruise lines in recent years, raising questions about the adequacy of vetting procedures and passenger warnings.
Contact a Cruise Ship Excursion Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt on a Cruise-Sold Activity
Passengers injured on excursions promoted and sold by cruise lines may have legal claims for compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries during a shore excursion purchased through a cruise company, you should consult with an experienced maritime injury attorney to understand your rights and potential remedies.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship excursion injury lawyer.
