California Woman Sues NCL After Folding Chair Collapses During Performance Aboard Norwegian Bliss
Jasmin Carlson, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22965-KMM, alleges that Carlson suffered severe and permanent injuries when a chair provided by the cruise line collapsed while she was attending an event in the ship’s theater on February 4, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Aboard Norwegian Bliss After Defective Folding Chair Collapses in Theater
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred while the Norwegian Bliss was operating in navigable waters. Carlson was a paying passenger who had gone to the ship’s theater to enjoy the scheduled entertainment. Because the venue was full, she took a seat in one of the folding chairs that had been placed at the back of the room by NCL crew members to accommodate extra seating. Within minutes of sitting down, the back of the chair suddenly detached from its frame without any warning. This mechanical failure caused Carlson to fall backward onto the ground, resulting in significant injuries to her shoulder, neck, and upper body. The lawsuit asserts that the chair constituted a dangerous condition because it was structurally unsound and unable to support the weight of a reasonably expected cruise passenger.
NCL Accused of Failing to Inspect and Repair Unsafe Furniture Despite Prior Similar Chair Injuries
The complaint alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazards posed by defective seating but failed to take remedial action. Carlson’s legal team points to several prior incidents on other NCL vessels to demonstrate that the cruise line was aware of the risks associated with collapsing chairs. The lawsuit cites specific cases including a 2022 incident aboard the Norwegian Joy where a passenger was injured by a broken restaurant chair, as well as accidents in 2018 and 2019 aboard the Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Jewel involving broken shower chairs. Carlson alleges that despite NCL’s internal policies requiring crew members to periodically inspect and repair furniture across the fleet, the staff failed to follow these protocols when moving the extra seating into the theater for the subject cruise.
Lawsuit Highlights Negligent Failure to Warn Passengers of Hidden Hazards in Norwegian Bliss Theater
In addition to maintenance failures, the lawsuit claims that NCL breached its duty to warn passengers of known or discoverable dangers. Carlson argues that because she was invited into the theater as a guest, the cruise line had an obligation to ensure the environment was safe or provide adequate notice of potential risks. The complaint states that NCL provided no verbal or written warnings regarding the stability or safety of the folding chairs used for overflow seating. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the cruise line failed to inform passengers of the history of similar accidents occurring on other vessels within the NCL fleet, which would have put passengers on notice regarding the potential for furniture failure.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Value Under Theory of Res Ipsa Loquitur
Carlson has brought four counts against NCL: general negligence, negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and negligence under a theory of res ipsa loquitur. The lawsuit argues that a chair in a professional theater environment does not ordinarily collapse in the absence of negligence and that the furniture was under the exclusive control of the cruise line. As a result of the fall, Carlson claims she has suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and a permanent impairment of her working ability. She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, the lost benefit of her vacation and transportation costs, and damages for the ongoing loss of enjoyment of life caused by her injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt by Defective Equipment on a Vessel
Cruise passengers who are injured due to collapsing chairs, defective furniture, or poorly maintained equipment aboard a ship may be eligible for compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators like Norwegian Cruise Line are required to exercise reasonable care to ensure that the amenities and seating provided to guests are safe for their intended use. If you or a loved one suffered an injury because of a furniture failure or hazardous condition during a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and securing the recovery 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.
