California Passenger Sues MSC Cruises After Trip and Fall in Cabin Bathroom Aboard MSC Magnifica
Virine Forbes, a California resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises SA in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24945-BB, alleges that Forbes sustained serious injuries after tripping over a raised shower lip in the bathroom of her cabin aboard the MSC Magnifica on June 29, 2024.
Cruise Ship Passenger Injured in Cabin Bathroom Due to Sudden Vessel Movement and Elevated Shower Lip
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on the first day of Forbes’s cruise while she was inside her cabin bathroom. As she stood near the shower affixing a wig, the vessel allegedly rocked suddenly and violently, causing her to lose balance, trip over an elevated lip surrounding the shower, and fall onto her back. Forbes asserts that the combination of the vessel’s abrupt movement and the unsafe design of the shower led to her fall. She claims she suffered a fractured lumbar spine, tailbone injury, and additional trauma to her neck and back, resulting in permanent and ongoing medical complications.
MSC Accused of Failing to Remedy Known Hazardous Cabin Conditions on Magnifica
The lawsuit alleges that MSC either knew or should have known that the elevated shower lip posed a tripping hazard, especially under maritime conditions where vessel movement is foreseeable. The complaint states that crewmembers had recently inspected the cabin to prepare it for boarding but failed to address or warn of the dangerous condition. Forbes claims that MSC violated its own inspection policies and procedures by neglecting to ensure that the area was safe for passengers prior to her arrival. The design and configuration of the bathroom allegedly failed to comply with reasonable safety standards for cruise vessels, particularly in providing handrails or fall-prevention features within confined cabin bathrooms.
Dangerous Design of Shower Lip Alleged to Contribute to Passenger’s Fall and Injuries
Forbes further alleges that the MSC Magnifica’s shower area was improperly designed, with the raised lip creating an unexpected and hazardous elevation change. The lawsuit claims that MSC approved of and maintained this design despite knowing the risks it posed, and that it failed to install safeguards that would minimize or eliminate the hazard. MSC is accused of either designing or approving the shower configuration as part of its internal design and refurbishment process. The suit highlights that this design flaw is not limited to the Magnifica, but is common across the cruise line’s fleet, indicating a systemic issue.
MSC Faces Claims of Negligence, Failure to Warn, and Improper Vessel Design After Passenger Fall
The complaint includes multiple counts against MSC Cruises, including negligent failure to remedy a dangerous condition, negligent failure to warn of hazards, vicarious liability for its employees’ negligence, and negligent design and approval of the shower area. Forbes contends that the hazard was not open and obvious to passengers and that no warning was given. Her legal team argues that MSC’s employees and design departments had control over the vessel’s layout and failed to recognize or address longstanding tripping hazards that were foreseeable in the maritime environment.
Injured Passenger Seeks Compensation for Spinal Fractures, Pain and Suffering, and Lost Cruise Value
As a result of the incident, Forbes seeks compensation for permanent injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint also requests damages for the diminished value of her cruise and travel-related expenses due to the disruption of her vacation. She asserts that MSC breached its duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its passengers and failed to take preventative action despite having the means and opportunity to do so.
Contact a Cruise Ship Bathroom Injury Lawyer if You Fell Due to Unsafe Shower or Cabin Design
Cruise lines like MSC have a legal duty under maritime law to ensure that cabin bathrooms and other areas of the ship are designed and maintained in a reasonably safe condition. Tripping hazards such as elevated shower lips, especially when paired with unpredictable vessel movement, can result in serious injuries. If you or someone you care about suffered a fall due to unsafe cabin design or lack of safety features aboard a cruise ship, our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys is here to help. We can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
Contact us today to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer about your rights.
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.
