California Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tripping Over Floor Polishing Machine Cord on Carnival Panorama
Mary Anne Lutton, a resident of 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. 1:25-cv-26036-AHS, alleges that Lutton suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping over a floor polishing machine cord and hose while walking toward a restroom aboard the Carnival Panorama on December 29, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Panorama Due to Unattended Cleaning Equipment in High Traffic Walkway
The complaint states that the incident occurred as Lutton was walking from the ship’s casino toward a nearby restroom. While navigating this common passenger walkway, she encountered a floor polishing machine cord and hose that had allegedly been left unattended by a crewmember. The lawsuit asserts that this created an unreasonably dangerous tripping hazard in a location where Carnival reasonably expected passengers to be during the cruise. Despite the presence of this equipment in a high-traffic area, the plaintiff alleges there were no warning signs, verbal cautions, or barriers in place to alert her to the hazard.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Foreseeable Tripping Hazards Based on Prior Fleet Incidents
Lutton’s legal team argues that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge that leaving electrical cords in walkways poses a significant risk to passengers. The complaint references a history of similar incidents across Carnival’s fleet to demonstrate that the cruise line was on notice of the danger. Specifically, the lawsuit cites five prior incidents where passengers suffered severe injuries after tripping over electrical or vacuum cords on the Carnival Glory, Carnival Pride, Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Magic. The plaintiff contends that these prior accidents should have prompted Carnival to implement corrective measures and stricter safety protocols to prevent such foreseeable injuries from recurring.
Lawsuit Alleges Carnival Failed to Follow Industry Standards for Maintaining Safe Walkways and Monitoring Hazards
In addition to the lack of warnings, the complaint alleges that Carnival failed to follow its own internal policies and general industry standards for managing hazardous conditions in high-traffic areas. These standards typically involve monitoring walkways, placing caution signs, and ensuring that maintenance work does not create obstacles for passengers. Lutton alleges that Carnival’s failure to adequately supervise its crewmembers and enforce safety procedures led directly to the dangerous condition that caused her fall. The lawsuit also notes that the cruise line often requires confidentiality in settlements, which the plaintiff argues is a method of concealing the true frequency of these types of accidents from the public.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Following Negligent Maintenance Aboard Carnival Vessel
The lawsuit brings four counts against Carnival Corporation: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, general negligence, and vicarious liability for the actions of its crewmembers. Lutton claims that as a direct result of the cruise line’s negligence, she suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint states that her injuries are permanent and continuing, leading to lost wages, impaired earning capacity, and ongoing medical expenses. Furthermore, she seeks compensation for the lost value of her vacation and related transportation costs, asserting that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to provide her with reasonable care under the circumstances.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Unsafe Conditions or Crew Negligence
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to unattended equipment, hidden tripping hazards, or the negligence of crewmembers may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are legally obligated to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn travelers of any known dangers that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident while on a cruise, contacting an experienced maritime injury attorney can help you understand 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.
