California Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Hanging Basket Chair Collapses on Carnival Vista Balcony
Rachel Enriquez, a resident of Vacaville, 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-20634-KMM, alleges that Enriquez suffered permanent and painful injuries when a Havana Cabana Swing Chair collapsed while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Vista on April 6, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Vista After Hanging Balcony Chair Supporting Rod Snaps
The complaint states that the incident occurred on the very first full day of the cruise. Enriquez returned to her cabin and attempted to relax in a hanging basket chair located on her private balcony. Within seconds of sitting down, the metal supporting rod holding the chair suddenly broke, causing Enriquez to fall violently to the deck. Upon inspection of the equipment after the accident, the plaintiff observed that the area of the rod that snapped appeared to have been previously repaired or stick-welded. Enriquez contends that this faulty repair was located well above her head and was not open or obvious to her, especially since it was her first time using the furniture during the voyage.
Carnival Accused of Constructive Notice Following Prior Hanging Chair Failures and Corrosive Sea Air Damage
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. According to the filing, the faulty repair pre-dated the plaintiff’s arrival on the ship by at least 24 hours, yet no further inspections or proper fixes were performed. Enriquez’s legal team argues that Carnival was aware of the risks associated with these specific chairs, citing prior similar litigation such as Weber v. Carnival Corp. involving chair collapses. The complaint further asserts that Carnival failed to implement adequate policies for the routine inspection of metallic hanging mechanisms, which are notoriously susceptible to significant corrosion due to constant exposure to salt water and humid sea air on a vessel’s exterior.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Train Crew on Proper Furniture Repair Standards
Enriquez brings multiple counts against the cruise line, including general negligence, failure to warn, and vicarious liability for the actions of its shipboard staff. The lawsuit argues that Carnival’s housekeeping and carpentry departments were negligent in their duties to monitor and maintain cabin furniture. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that the crew performed a substandard “stick-weld” repair rather than replacing the hazardous equipment or removing it from service entirely. The complaint highlights a failure to properly train crewmembers on how to identify metallic fatigue or comply with safety codes designed to prevent the exact type of mechanical failure that led to this balcony accident.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Traumatic Headaches and Permanent Injuries Following Carnival Vista Fall
As a direct result of the chair’s collapse, Enriquez claims she sustained injuries to her head, neck, lower back, left elbow, and right hip. She reportedly suffered traumatic headaches and required immediate medical attention in the ship’s infirmary, followed by continued care upon her return to California. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disability, medical expenses, and the loss of earning capacity. The plaintiff asserts that these injuries are permanent in nature and have significantly diminished her quality of life and the value of her cruise vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Malfunction Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Defective Cabin Equipment
Passengers who suffer injuries due to broken furniture, defective balcony fixtures, or poorly maintained equipment aboard a cruise ship may be entitled to significant compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are held to a high standard of care and must ensure that all cabin amenities are safe for guest use and free from hidden defects or negligent repairs. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident involving a chair collapse or equipment failure while at sea, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case and protect your legal rights.
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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.
