California Teenager Sues Royal Caribbean After Suffering Severe Knee Fracture on Utopia of the Seas Basketball Court
A resident of California has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25896, alleges that a minor passenger, Z.Z., suffered permanent and life-altering injuries while playing basketball aboard the Utopia of the Seas on December 24, 2024.
Minor Passenger Injured on Utopia of the Seas Sports Deck Due to Hazardous Drainage Fixture
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred while the minor plaintiff was utilizing the basketball court located on the sports deck of the vessel. While participating in a game, the teenager was pushed or impacted by another guest, causing him to lose his balance and fall within the run-off area of the court. The complaint alleges that his right knee struck a rigid, exposed, and inadequately guarded drainage component or pipe that was not flush with the playing surface. This fixture was allegedly located within or immediately adjacent to the active playing area, creating an unreasonable risk of serious injury for passengers engaged in high-activity sports.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Design and Maintenance of Shipboard Basketball Facilities
The legal action asserts that Royal Caribbean owed its passengers a duty of reasonable care to design and maintain its recreational areas in a safe condition. The plaintiffs allege that the cruise line breached this duty by allowing a hazardous fixture to exist in a foreseeable fall zone without proper padding, recessed placement, or protective covering. The lawsuit further claims that the cruise line failed to conduct adequate hazard analyses of its sports deck facilities and did not follow industry standards regarding clearances and guarding for fixtures adjacent to active sports surfaces. The complaint notes that the basketball court is a high-activity area where the defendant should have anticipated that passengers would run, jump, and occasionally collide.
Lawsuit Details Emergency Surgery and Permanent Impairment Following Cruise Ship Sports Injury
The impact with the hazardous fixture resulted in a severe open and displaced fracture of the right patella, requiring immediate medical intervention. After receiving emergency care on the vessel, the minor was medically disembarked and transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in South Florida. On Christmas Day 2024, the teenager underwent urgent orthopedic surgery involving open reduction-internal fixation with cannulated screws and a tension-band construct. The complaint states that the plaintiff, previously a competitive swimmer and athlete, now faces permanent scarring, reduced range of motion, and a potential need for future hardware removal surgery. The injuries have significantly interfered with his athletic development and educational opportunities.
Plaintiffs Seek Compensatory Damages for Medical Expenses and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
The lawsuit includes counts for negligence and a derivative claim for the minor’s mother, Yan Liang. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and medical expenses, as well as the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life and athletic endeavors. The complaint argues that Royal Caribbean had constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition through its own design documents and maintenance records but failed to warn passengers of the risk. Furthermore, the plaintiffs allege that the cruise line failed to adequately supervise the number and behavior of passengers on the court to ensure a safe environment for minor children.
Contact a Cruise Ship Sports Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in a Recreational Area Aboard a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to dangerous equipment, poor maintenance, or unsafe designs in shipboard recreational areas like basketball courts, flowriders, or rock walls may be eligible for compensation. Cruise lines have a legal responsibility to ensure that all sports facilities are free from hidden hazards and meet safety standards to protect participants from foreseeable accidents. If you or a family member sustained a serious injury while participating in activities on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your rights and potential recovery.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury 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.
