California Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Being Struck by Unsecured Electrical Panel Door Aboard Navigator of the Seas
Dianne L. Speake, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, Case No. 1:25-cv-25040-JB, stems from an incident aboard the Navigator of the Seas in which an unsecured electrical panel door allegedly swung open and struck her while she was walking on Deck 12.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Navigator of the Seas by Unsecured Electrical Panel Door in Common Area
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on November 25, 2024, while Speake was a paying passenger aboard the Navigator of the Seas. While walking in a designated guest walkway on Deck 12, an electrical panel door allegedly suddenly and without warning swung open and struck her. The complaint alleges that the door was inadequately installed, maintained, and secured, creating a dangerous condition that Royal Caribbean failed to warn passengers about.
Speake claims she had no reason to suspect the panel was unsecured and that the hazard was not open or obvious to a reasonable guest. The incident caused her to suffer serious and permanent injuries, as outlined in the four negligence counts brought against the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean Allegedly Failed to Inspect, Maintain, or Warn of Dangerous Electrical Panel Door
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean was responsible for designing, installing, inspecting, and maintaining the electrical panel system in the area where the incident occurred. The complaint alleges multiple failures by the cruise line and its crew, including:
- Failure to inspect and repair the electrical panel and its securing mechanisms
- Failure to warn passengers of a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard
- Failure to block off or mark the area with signage or barricades
- Failure to implement or enforce inspection and maintenance protocols for panel doors
The plaintiff’s legal team argues that the cruise line had actual and constructive notice of the danger, either through routine inspections or from prior similar incidents involving falling or unsecured fixtures aboard Royal Caribbean vessels.
Prior Cruise Ship Injury Cases Involving Falling Fixtures Cited as Evidence of Notice
To support the claim that Royal Caribbean had prior knowledge of similar risks, the complaint references multiple other lawsuits:
- Cheryl Mobley v. RCCL (2023) – Light fixture fell from ceiling aboard Adventure of the Seas
- Francisco Josephis v. RCCL (2024) – Metal panel fell from wall in casino aboard Wonder of the Seas
- Veronica Gordon v. RCCL (2024) – Heavy metal artwork detached from wall and struck passenger aboard Wonder of the Seas
These prior cases are cited as examples of a pattern of falling or unsecured fixtures aboard Royal Caribbean ships, allegedly placing the cruise line on notice of the risk to passenger safety.
Plaintiff Brings Claims of General Negligence, Failure to Warn, and Res Ipsa Loquitur Against Royal Caribbean
Speake brings four negligence-based claims: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and negligence under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, a legal theory that applies when the very nature of the accident implies negligence. Her attorneys argue that:
- She was not at fault
- The electrical panel was under the exclusive control of Royal Caribbean
- The door would not have opened spontaneously absent negligence
Passenger Seeks Damages for Physical Injuries, Pain, and Loss of Cruise Value
The complaint alleges that Speake sustained injuries to her head, body, and extremities, leading to:
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of earning capacity and wages
- Medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost value of the cruise vacation
The injuries are alleged to be permanent or continuing in nature, and Speake is seeking full damages for her losses and future impairments.
Cruise Ship Injury from Falling Objects or Fixtures May Be Grounds for Compensation
Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure that fixtures and access panels on board their ships are properly installed, maintained, and secured. Injuries caused by unsecured or falling objects in common areas, such as walkways and public decks, are often preventable and may form the basis of a maritime negligence claim.
If you or someone you know was injured due to falling fixtures, loose wall panels, or swinging doors aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced maritime 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.
