California Resident Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Tripping on Defective ADA Ramp Aboard Diamond Princess
Linda Taylor, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21150-CMA, alleges that Taylor suffered a catastrophic fracture and permanent injuries after tripping on a hazardous wheelchair ramp while walking through a designated accessible route on the Diamond Princess on March 28, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Broken Hip on Diamond Princess Due to Non-Compliant ADA Ramp and Lip Hazard
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while the Diamond Princess was in navigable waters. Taylor was walking through a portside area on Deck 14, located behind the Mermaid Bar, which Princess Cruise Lines had designated as an accessible route for passengers. While attempting to pass over a threshold, she tripped on a wheelchair accessibility ramp that was allegedly not flush with the adjoining flooring. The lawsuit claims this created a dangerous one-inch lip or change in elevation that was not properly marked or indicated to alert passengers. The resulting fall was so severe that Taylor suffered an acute fracture of her right femur neck, requiring an emergency medical disembarkation in Busan, South Korea, where she underwent surgery.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Failing to Maintain Accessible Routes Despite Marketing Comfort and Convenience for All
The lawsuit highlights a significant contrast between the cruise line’s marketing materials and the actual conditions aboard the ship. Taylor’s legal team notes that Princess Cruise Lines heavily markets its services to elderly passengers and represents itself as an industry leader in accessibility through its award-winning Princess Access program. The complaint references specific promotional statements promising barrier-free designs and accessible-friendly environments in all public spaces. However, the plaintiff alleges that the subject ramp failed to meet these standards and was not ADA compliant. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that the cruise line failed to follow its own internal safety management systems and a prior settlement with the United States government which mandated that its fleet, including the Diamond Princess, maintain strict ADA compliance.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Similar Accidents on Princess Vessels as Evidence of Actual and Constructive Notice of Ramp Hazards
The complaint alleges that Princess Cruise Lines had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions involving its accessibility ramps. To support this, the plaintiff’s counsel cites multiple prior lawsuits involving similar injuries aboard other Princess ships. These include Smarr v. Princess Cruise Lines, involving an injury on the Regal Princess; Prince v. Princess Cruise Lines, regarding an incident on the Caribbean Princess; and Cox v. Princess Cruise Lines, involving a defective ramp on the Golden Princess. The lawsuit argues that these prior incidents should have alerted the cruise line to systemic issues with ramp design and maintenance. Additionally, the complaint points out that the warning stripes on the subject ramp were allegedly faded and peeling, suggesting the hazardous condition had existed long enough for shipboard safety officers or maintenance crews to discover and remedy the problem.
Negligent Misrepresentation and Failure to Warn Alleged in Diamond Princess Personal Injury Complaint
Taylor brings five counts against Princess Cruise Lines: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent misrepresentation, general negligence, and vicarious liability. A central theme of the legal action is negligent misrepresentation, as Taylor claims she justifiably relied on the cruise line’s advertisements regarding shipboard accessibility when she purchased her vacation. The lawsuit alleges that Princess breached its duty of care by failing to provide a reasonably safe walking surface and by failing to warn her that the designated accessible route contained a hidden tripping hazard. As a result of the fall, Taylor reports suffering physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and the loss of the benefit of her vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Due to Unsafe ADA Routes or Defective Ramps
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained walkways, non-compliant ADA ramps, or lack of proper safety signage may be entitled to significant compensation under general maritime law. Companies like Princess Cruise Lines have a non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of their fare-paying passengers. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while navigating a cruise ship due to a hidden hazard or deceptive marketing regarding accessibility, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case. We are dedicated to helping victims of cruise line negligence understand their rights and pursue the justice 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.
